FFS. He was the best bit.
Slaven Bilic has been one of the undoubted stars of Euro 2016 – and he hasn’t even kicked a ball in anger. Not only has the 47-year-old provided eloquent and informative analysis as ITV’s foremost pundit, but he has charmed viewers with his dry humour and sweary intervals.
On top of that, his ‘animated’ style has led to some classic moments. Who can forget his mugging off of Lothar Matthaus, or the wild celebrations that followed Dimitri Payet’s goal against Albania…
https://twitter.com/MellorFootball/status/743189439372009472
But if you were looking forward to Bilic providing further gems during the knockout stages of the competition, you’re out of luck. Sadly for us, and gladly for West Ham fans everywhere, he is returning to his day job of Premier League manager to prepare for the season ahead.
Thanks to Slaven Bilic for his part in @ITV #EURO2016 coverage so far. As agreed pre-tournament, Slav is now returning to #WHUFC Hvala!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2016
Despite the fact that it’s a perfectly sensible move on the conscientious Croatian’s part, and ITV can hardly chain him to the studio desk and not let him go (although that’s a thought), the news hasn’t gone down well with his legion of new armchair admirers. We know exactly how they feel…
No more Bilic on ITV coverage of #EURO2016 🙁
— Jason ⚒ (@JasonS281) June 23, 2016
NO!!!
— Thomas Bryce (@brycie1982) June 23, 2016
@itvfootball @ITV pic.twitter.com/w59WfTF9rs
— Jesta {⚽@Playmakers} (@Jesta01) June 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/AndyFuchzKunz/status/746089697953333248
.@itvfootball @ITV 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/ZpawanKK25
— Away Grounds (@PriceBoost) June 23, 2016
#Euro2016 No Bilic, No ITV coverage
— Mark Pearson (@BetfredSport) June 22, 2016
@itvfootball @ITV pic.twitter.com/3gTtf0fjeP
— Lee C (@DjLeeC) June 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/distantkarma/status/746365041809686528
