West Ham United have struggled this season, prompting their former defender to offer to return in a coaching capacity.
A report in the Daily Mirror has suggested that Slaven Bilic has rejected Rio Ferdinand’s offer to return to West Ham to work with the defence following their terrible start to the season.
Ferdinand recently stated that he would like to help his first professional club after watching them fall to another heavy defeat at the weekend, and the Mirror reports that the Hammers hierarchy were keen for the move to happen.
Rio Ferdinand
However, the Mirror now adds that Bilic – who played alongside Ferdinand during their time together with the Irons – has insisted that he is happy with the backroom team he currently has at his disposal, and thus, does not intend to bring the 38-year-old in, despite the growing pressure on his shoulders.
While the presence of Bilic and current West Ham coach Julian Dicks suggests that the club do have enough knowledge to help the back-line, it is clear that things need to change at the London Stadium if the Hammers do not want to be dragged into a relegation battle.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Currently, the Irons are one place and one point above the bottom three following their 5-1 defeat at home to Arsenal at the weekend. And while they have hardly been prolific in front of goal, the slightly more alarming statistic is the fact that only bottom side Swansea City have conceded more league goals this term.
Therefore, it is somewhat understandable if the board decided that a person with Ferdinand’s experience coming in would be a good addition, but Bilic appears to be confident about the current backroom team’s chances of turning the club’s fortunes around.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
