The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Jose Mourinho congratulated Slaven Bilic on landing the West Ham job this week via text, the Croatian has revealed.
Bilic was appointed as Sam Allardyce’s successor this week after arriving from Besiktas on a three-year deal as the Hammers embark on a new era in East London.
The Croatian spent a season playing at West Ham in the mid-nineties before joining Everton, but that has not stopped Chelsea boss Mourinho from welcoming him to England.
Bilic revealed that, via former Chelsea player Demba Ba who he coached at Besiktas, Mourinho sort his number before sending him a short message by text.
“I was shocked to get a message from Jose Mourinho,” Bilic told The Sun.
“Demba Ba texted me to say Jose asked him for my number. It was great. I felt ‘wow’. He said ‘I’m glad you’re here and welcome to England’.”
“It was really flattering. The guy is class, what can I say.”
Meanwhile, former Hammers boss Allardyce has warned Bilic that his popularity with the fans will not stop them turning on him.
“Slaven’s popular and it will start off okay but it won’t take much for the mood to change if results aren’t going well,” said Allardyce.
