West Ham United have been training in Europe over pre-season so far.
West Ham have had their pre-season preparations hindered by match in European qualifying for the last two campaigns.
However, the Hammers have had a free pre-season this time around.
And Bilic wanted to keep his players on tour, to prepare them for the competitive action in the best manner possible.
“I have been here for two-years and both of the last two pre-seasons were taken up by us having Europe League qualifiers,” Bilic said.
“We had to come back early and it was not a proper pre-season. I asked the Chairman and Karren Brady and they understood the situation.
“They said ‘let’s do it your way’. We are just concentrating on training and resting. We have been to Austria and are going to Germany. I have to thank the board, especially the chairman and Karren for letting us have this kind of pre-season which is crucial.”
West Ham have taken on Sturm Graz and Fulham so far during pre-season, and they are yet to taste defeat.
Bilic’s men also have games coming up against Werder Bremen, Altona 93 and Manchester City, before the Premier League action starts up.
When Bilic’s side do start the season they are thrown in at the deep end, with a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford first up.
West Ham have made four new signings so far this summer, with Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez all arriving.
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