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Celebrity West Ham fan Kriss Akabusi gives emphatic backing to under pressure Slaven Bilic

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic celebrates after the match (REUTERS)
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Celebrity West Ham United fan Kriss Akabusi has given his backing to manager Slaven Bilic.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic celebrates after the matchWest Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

Bilic has endured a tough second season in East London, a stark contrast to his record breaking debut campaign which saw the Hammers finish just four points off the Champions League places.

West Ham have flirted with relegation this season but secured their survival with a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur and ended the campaign on a high with an impressive 2-1 win at Burnley last time out.

West Ham’s struggles throughout the season has seen Bilic’s future become the frequent subject of intense media speculation with the likes of Jaap Stam, Roberto Mancini, Rafa Benitez, Slavisa Jokanovic and most recently Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi tipped to replace him in various reports.

Speculation has not been helped by the refusal of co-owners David Sullivanand David Gold to offer the Croatian a new contract.

West Ham United owners David Gold and David SullivanWest Ham United owners David Gold and David Sullivan

That is despite many fans and pundits feeling Bilic has done a good job in difficult circumstances this season with injuries, poor recruitment, the Olympic Stadium move and the Dimitri Payet saga taking its toll.

But Bilic has received some high profile backing after celebrity Hammer and British track and field legend Akabusi threw his support behind the Croatian.

“Love Bilic,” Akabusi said on Twitter.

“His reflections (on the season) as ever straight talking and appears focused on West Ham 2017/18 (season) #boom.”

Picture Supplied by Action ImagesCelebrity Hammer Kriss Akabusi

Like Akabusi, the majority of West Ham fans are still fully behind the boss and instead blame the owners for the club’s regression this season.

Broken promises over transfers and disappointment among factions with the reality of the Olympic Stadium move set the stall out for a difficult campaign.