Slaven Bilic on his West Ham sacking, job offers, and what comes next

Slaven Bilic will take a break from management before seeking a new job.

Bilic, who was sacked as West Ham manager on Monday midway through the final season in a three-year contract, said he was proud of the job he had done at the club and insisted there were no hard feelings following his dismissal.

"It is the first time I have left a club in this way," he said. "It happened once before, with Lokomotiv Moscow, but it was more my decision. I am very sad, of course.

"I would have loved to have stayed to finish my contract - perhaps win a cup and stabilise the situation - but it didn’t happen and there are no hard feelings.

"It has not changed my love for West Ham and the people there."

The Croatian, who also played for the Hammers in the 1990s, added: "When I look back at my time there, I should be proud.

"Now, to stay more than two seasons anywhere, unless you are a Pep Guardiola or a Jose Mourinho - which I’m not - is very hard.

"I can’t say, ‘Why me, God? What have I done to deserve this?’ There is no point in that.

"We were looking to improve and push on this season and I was optimistic we could do that, but it didn’t happen."

Bilic, who managed the Croatia national team between 2006 and 2012, is adamant that taking a well-earned rest is now his priority.

"I am going to have a break with the family now. I don’t want to jump straight back into something.

"Last year - and even now - I have had calls from clubs in other countries, but I want to rest a little bit.

“I want to stay in London with the family and maybe go home to Croatia before the end of the year.

"I can’t see myself doing anything before next January at the earliest but then we will see what is happening.

"There is no rush."