West Ham United Development Squad coach Steve Potts is looking forward to being reunited with Slaven Bilic following the latter's appointment as Hammers manager.
The pair played together at the Boleyn Ground in the mid-90s and Potts believes that the Croatia international demonstrated all the necessary ingredients to make it as a successful manager.
“He has always had very, very good leadership qualities. He’s an infectious character and he could certainly motivate players around him. He’s obviously taken that quality into management.
“He’s whole-hearted, very honest and hardworking and I’m sure he’ll install that in his team. He’s got a
great winning mentality as well. So yes, I’m looking forward to working with Slaven again.
“It’s been a while and he’s gone away and managed in different countries, at international level as well. He’s quickly got a lot of experience under his belt and that can only be a good thing.”
After a couple of seasons coaching the U18s, Potts stepped up to the U21 role, where he will be working closely with Bilic once again.
“I think it’s great news," said the former West Ham defender and Hammer of the Year. "I’m very pleased for Slaven, and very pleased for the Club because they’ve made a very good appointment.
“Knowing Slaven, he’s a very infectious character and a good leader. He’s played for the Club so he knows what it’s about and he knows what the fans.
“He knows that the fans want to see the players give it their all, all the time. He was certainly one of those players. He’s not going into the unknown, that’s for sure.”
With the Hammers season due to start on Thursday 2 July with the first round of UEFA Europa League qualifiers, the new boss does not have too much time before his Claret and Blue charges take to the field.
As the Club enters the last season in Upton Park, Potts is expecting an emotional yet exciting 12 months ahead.
“It would be nice if he gave some of the younger lads a go in the Europa League," Potts continued. "He’s got to come in and make a lot of decisions quickly. I think he’ll take a good look at them. It’s a massive opportunity for everyone to show what they can do.
“The more you think about it, the more you realise how emotional the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be.
"We’ve got the Europa League which is something the West Ham fans will love but also the final season at Upton Park. In particular, that final game will be very emotional.”
The pair played together at the Boleyn Ground in the mid-90s and Potts believes that the Croatia international demonstrated all the necessary ingredients to make it as a successful manager.
“He has always had very, very good leadership qualities. He’s an infectious character and he could certainly motivate players around him. He’s obviously taken that quality into management.
“He’s whole-hearted, very honest and hardworking and I’m sure he’ll install that in his team. He’s got a
great winning mentality as well. So yes, I’m looking forward to working with Slaven again.
“It’s been a while and he’s gone away and managed in different countries, at international level as well. He’s quickly got a lot of experience under his belt and that can only be a good thing.”
After a couple of seasons coaching the U18s, Potts stepped up to the U21 role, where he will be working closely with Bilic once again.
“I think it’s great news," said the former West Ham defender and Hammer of the Year. "I’m very pleased for Slaven, and very pleased for the Club because they’ve made a very good appointment.
“Knowing Slaven, he’s a very infectious character and a good leader. He’s played for the Club so he knows what it’s about and he knows what the fans.
“He knows that the fans want to see the players give it their all, all the time. He was certainly one of those players. He’s not going into the unknown, that’s for sure.”
With the Hammers season due to start on Thursday 2 July with the first round of UEFA Europa League qualifiers, the new boss does not have too much time before his Claret and Blue charges take to the field.
As the Club enters the last season in Upton Park, Potts is expecting an emotional yet exciting 12 months ahead.
“It would be nice if he gave some of the younger lads a go in the Europa League," Potts continued. "He’s got to come in and make a lot of decisions quickly. I think he’ll take a good look at them. It’s a massive opportunity for everyone to show what they can do.
“The more you think about it, the more you realise how emotional the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be.
"We’ve got the Europa League which is something the West Ham fans will love but also the final season at Upton Park. In particular, that final game will be very emotional.”