Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic rubbishes West Ham United link

Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic has rubbished reports linking him with West Ham United.

It was recently rumoured that the Croatian could take over at Upton Park if Sam Allardyce is sacked this season.

However, former Hammers defender Bilic has been quick to distance himself from any speculation.

"I really do not know why I'm being linked with them," the 46-year-old told Sportske Novosti. "I guess rumours like that are just part of this sport.

"I played there, now I'm a manager and it is not the first time that people are talking about me. They did that even when I was the Croatia manager.

"But the reality is that I'm just thinking about Besiktas and the work I'm doing there. I'm spending all my energy for Besiktas."

Bilic was appointed Besiktas coach in summer 2013 following a brief spell with Lokomotiv Moscow.