Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has distanced himself from a potential return to West Ham United.

The future of current Upton Park boss Gianfranco Zola has been the subject of heavy speculation, with some sections of the media suggesting the club’s new owners had lined up Bilic as a replacement for the diminuative Italian.

However, the former Croatia Under-21 boss insists his focus remains firmly on guiding the senior squad through the European Championship 2012 qualifiers.

“I love West Ham [United] very much but that job is not for me right now,” Bilic said, according to the Daily Star Sunday.

“Not today. I want to qualify for the European Championships and nothing is going to change that. I am staying for all my country’s qualifiers.”

A former Hammers defender in 1996-97, before joining Everton for £4.5 million, Bilic knows all about the rigours of the Premier League. However, he believes he owes his country a debt following their faith in him despite failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He added: “It’s my country. The players, the staff and the majority of fans wanted me to stay that’s why I decided to carry on.

“I’m proud to manage my country. I love this job.” – goal