West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic was accused of being down after watching his side lose to Southampton.
West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic has defended himself in the London Evening Standard, after he was accused of looking dejected in his post-match interviews, following his side’s defeat to Southampton last weekend.
Bilic faced the media following West Ham’s 3-0 loss against the Saints, and he seemed very hurt by the defeat.
Some pundits expressed concern about his demeanour in the interview, and insisted that the Croatian manager needed to pick himself up if he was to get his side out of their slump in form.
However, Bilic has questioned how he was supposed to behave in an interview, so soon after a disappointing defeat.
“I have been told that I looked very “down” in interviews after the defeat by Southampton. Well, yes, I was “down” but how am I supposed to be,” Bilic said.
“I don’t think there is a problem if a manager is like that after his team have lost, especially four times in a row.
“The defeat did hurt, so why should I pretend that it didn’t? It hurt me personally, totally. It hurts me when I look at the Premier League table, it hurts me when I look in the mirror.
“What is the point of smiling? Does that make me a brave leader? I am a leader and I am very brave but I hurt after a defeat. Most of the managers are the same.”
Bilic is currently the bookies’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked, and the pressure is mounting on him.
West Ham have won just once so far this season, and they currently sit down in 18th place.
The Hammers’ next match comes against Middlesbrough at the London Stadium, and if they fail to get the three points it would be a major disappointment.
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