West Ham United target Darijo Srna hailed manager Slaven Bilic earlier this year.
According to the Daily Star, West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic is keen on a reunion with Shakhtar Donetsk defender Darijo Srna – and it’s fair to say that he’s a fan of his fellow Croatian.
The Hammers need new faces in January, and whilst a new striker has to be a priority for West Ham, right back is another problem position for Bilic.
January signing Sam Byram has yet to really impress since arriving from Leeds, whilst summer signing Alvaro Arbeloa has become the forgotten man having played just four times since signing on deadline day in August.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Michail Antonio and Havard Nordtveit have filled in as right wing backs of late, but Bilic needs to bring in a natural right back – and he allegedly wants one of his former players in Darijo Srna.
The Daily Star report that Bilic wants a reunion with the 34-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk star having managed him during spells in charge of Hajduk Split and the Croatia national team.
Srna may not be getting any younger, but he’s still got exceptional quality on the ball, and his ability to cross the ball may be ideal for feeding striker Andy Carroll.
Croatia’s Dario Srna celebrates with manager Slaven Bilic
Maybe more importantly for manager Bilic is that he enjoys a strong relationship with Srna, and the Shakhtar star commented on the West Ham boss in an interview with Sporting Intelligence earlier in 2016.
Srna claimed that Bilic is an ‘unbelievable man’, and backed him to manage Barcelona, Manchester City or Manchester United, because he believes Bilic is that good of a manager.
Srna added that he ‘fell in love’ with Bilic at Hajduk Split, and thinks that he is the real special one rather than Jose Mourinho; comments which will add credence to the transfer rumours suggesting that Srna could be heading to East London.
“He is an unbelievable man. West Ham will not be the limit for him,” said Srna. “When he has achieved everything he can at West Ham, he will one day join a top, top club. What he has done so far in his career is no accident. He could manage a Barcelona or a Manchester club without any problem.”
“I fell in love with Slaven Bilic when he was my coach at Hajduk Split. Depending on who you are in the team, he is a friend, a coach, a father or a brother. He is the real special one, believe me. It means that players are ready to die for him.”
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