West Ham United

West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic "not thinking" about Champions League

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 15 January 2016

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic says that he is "not thinking" about possibly qualifying for the Champions League this season.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has claimed that he is "not thinking" about his team qualifying for the Champions League this season.

The Hammers are currently fifth in the Premier League table, one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur after 21 games.

Ahead of Saturday's clash against Newcastle United at St James' Park, Bilic's side are unbeaten in their last eight league fixtures.

"If you take a driving test and say 'I can't do it' of course you'll fail," the Evening Standard quotes Bilic as saying. "If you're approaching a girl in a nightclub and you think she's gonna tell you off and all that, no chance, but if you're positive, you have a chance for the Champions League or whatever - top 10 or staying up.

"I have no problem saying that [we can get top four], but we're not thinking that way. If you ask me if we are thinking about it realistically and starting to be a little bit big-headed about the Champions League, no, we're not.

"You do not become a big club because you say big things - that won't make you a top-five club. We have to believe in ourselves but we are not believing we can make the Champions League."

West Ham have won nine, drawn eight and lost four of their league games this season.