The Hammers boss says he won't mind if his charges want to show their appreciation for their former manager if they score against Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has told his players they should feel free to celebrate with former boss Sam Allardyce if they score against Sunderland on Saturday.
Bilic has taken the Hammers to new heights since replacing Allardyce at the helm, with the club currently seven points off the top four and also through to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Allardyce got himself in the West Ham faithful's bad books when he released his autobiography earlier this year, in which he criticised fans for expecting too much from the team during his time at the Boleyn Ground.
However ahead of his return with Sunderland this weekend, Bilic has thanked Allardyce for making his job easier through the solid foundations he left behind and hopes he receives a warm reception.
"The fans and everyone connected him with the club should appreciate him," said Bilic.
"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. 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.
"It is a more special game for Sam that he is coming back to the place, the stadium where he was the manager for a few years.”
Bilic even insists that should West Ham manage to score against Allardyce's Black Cats, he wouldn't be upset if they rushed to celebrate with him on the touchline.
"I don't think it will distract the concentration but I don't mind if we score a goal for them to go and hug him. As long as we score a goal, I wouldn't mind that,” added Bilic.
"They can do it four or five times!"
Bilic will be able to call on the services of fit-again striker Andy Carroll against Sunderland, while Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid are also back in>
- Goal