Slaven Bilic wants fans to give ex-West Ham boss Sam Allardyce warm reception

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has called on supporters to give their former boss Sam Allardyce a warm welcome when he returns to Upton Park with Sunderland on Saturday.

The 61-year-old spent four years in charge of the Hammers before leaving to take over at the Stadium of Light last October.

Allardyce did not always have a good relationship with the supporters, but Bilic believes that his predecessor deserves credit.

"I don't know what fans think of him but you can't change the facts and the facts are in his favour big time," The Mirror quotes Bilic as saying. "Whoever says differently it's not business, it's personal. Sam did a great job here.

"He left me an organised training ground, key players, he made my job a bit easier and I appreciate it. I think and I hope he will get a good reception. Especially clubs in England they like to praise people who did things in the past. In some countries they forget about you but England is a country of tradition. Especially here. It should be the same for Sam.

"He is one of the most famous and long-serving English managers. Very successful, very charismatic. He took West Ham in a moment when they were in Championship, got them back straight away, stabilised the club in the Premier Leage and did an amazing job. The fans and everyone connected him with the club should appreciate him."

West Ham are currently seventh in the Premier League table, while Sunderland are 19th, one point from safety.