Grady Diangana: Good guy Slaven Bilic has no West Brom favourites
Grady Diangana has described Slaven Bilic as a ‘good person’ and revealed he gets no preferential treatment from the boss despite their West Ham ties.
It was during Bilic’s time in charge of the Hammers that Diangana got introduced to senior football with the head coach inviting the youngster to join up with the first-team for training.
The Croatian was also influential in bringing the 21-year-old to The Hawthorns – with Diangana initially set to join Championship rivals Derby on a temporary basis.
Bilic, though, made a last minute call to his former employers in a bid to hijack the deal.
And Diangana has since gone on to shine for the Baggies with the winger having scored four goals and registered five assists in 15 outings.
But despite their history, Diangana says Bilic doesn’t treat him differently to any other player.
And the forward also revealed what his head coach said to be him to convince him to join Albion.
“It was amazing,” Diangana said. “He (Bilic) gave me a call and explained to me his vision and how he wanted his team to set up, and how he wanted us to play. It all started from there.
“When we were both at West Ham I was back and forth (between the academy and first team).
“I trained a few times with the first team.
“And then when I got to Albion he (Bilic) was very welcoming.
“He’s helped me to develop my game and for me, he was very important in my decision.
“And ever since things have gone very well.
“It’s been an amazing season so far for us.
“There is a lot of work still to do. But I’m enjoying it.”
Asked if he feels he ever gets preferential treatment from Bilic, Diangana said: “No – I think he treats everyone the same and gives everyone respect.
“He doesn’t pick one out more than any other.
“He’s a good person.”
While Diangana was keen to sing Bilic’s praises, Albion coach Julian Dicks believes the winger deserves credit for the way he has conducted himself since joining the club on loan.
Dicks was appointed first-team coach at The Hawthorns in the summer and works with assistant head coaches Dean Racunica and Danilo Butorovic in supporting Bilic.
The former defender enjoys cult status at West Ham having played for the club in two separate spells.
And when asked about Diangana he said: “He is a great lad.
“He is very polite and for me that’s a very big thing because manners cost nothing.
“You say good morning to everybody.
“Even if you don’t like people you say good morning, you hold the door open for them. That’s just the way I am and he’s exactly the same.
“He’s a very polite young man.”
