West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says he asked Dimitri Payet ‘are you standing by your decision’ before revealing all
Hammers chief gives more details on row with French star after he reused to play for the club again
SLAVEN BILIC has revealed more on his discussion with wantaway star Dimitri Payet as the Frenchman’s row with West Ham rages on.
It was on Thursday that the Croatian boss of the Hammers revealed that his talisman was refusing to play for the club again.
The Hammers boss had a meeting with the midfielder on Wednesday where the 29-year-old made his intentions clear.
But before revealing all to the press on Thursday, Bilic gave the star one more chance to change his mind before making the strike action public.
But before revealing all to the press on Thursday, Bilic gave the star one more chance to change his mind before making the strike action public.
But before revealing all to the press on Thursday, Bilic gave the star one more chance to change his mind before making the strike action public.
Speaking in the , Bilic said: “This situation with Dimitri has been developing for a little while now.
“Two days ago, he and I had a meeting. I won't disclose what was said, but I was left in no doubt as to his intentions.
“Yesterday, just before the normal pre-match press conference, I asked Dimitri one more time: 'Are you standing by what you said a couple of days ago or have you thought more about it?'
“He replied that he was standing by his decision, so that was that. The right thing to do then was to tell the supporters and the players what was happening and I informed the squad later that morning, before we began training.
“It has left me sad, angry, but at the moment Dimitri has said he will not play for the club, so I have no alternative but to plan for Saturday's match without him.”
And despite the row with his talisman, Bilic admits the star’s absence will be felt.
He added: “Many times over the years, clubs have lost quality players but gained a team. There is no point in saying we won't miss Dimitri Payet because the fans know — we know — that he is a great player.
“What I mean, though, is, for example, when a team has a player sent off, somehow that often gives the rest of the players more energy, they dig deeper.”