Slaven Bilić Not Making Excuses Ahead of Important Arsenal Clash
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
“If we beat Arsenal it won’t be a miracle, it definitely won’t be breaking news on CNN,” that is what Bešiktaš boss Slaven Bilić has said ahead of his sides important UEFA Champions League play-off tie with Arsenal which kicks off tomorrow…
The former Croatia international could join a short list of Croatian coaches to lead a side in the prestigious UEFA Champions League if his side can beat Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal over two legs.
“Arsenal are favourites, we wanted them the least in the draw, but what does that mean? That we don’t have anything to lose because they are the favourites? F**k that!,” said Bilić, who will have 15 million Turks behind his side tomorrow night.
“We have 15 million fans in Turkey, people pass me on the street and say ‘Arsenal are going down’. That is huge pressure, but I am a coach of a big club and I love that kind of pressure,” said the former Croatia coach, who says he has turned down jobs in the English Premiership 7 times.
“Seven times they called me. I love English football and if you asked me where I would love to coach in the future then it is definitely England. But, the future is the future, I am in Istanbul now and it is beautiful,” Bilić concluded.
