West Ham United legend Julian Dicks has left his role as manager of West Ham Ladies to join former teammate Slaven Bilic’s backroom staff.

The former defender starts his new role as a full-time coaching assistant this week, and will travel to Ireland with a group of senior players as the club prepare for their Europa League qualifier against FC Lusitans on Thursday.

Dicks made 326 appearances and scored 65 goals in two separate spells for the Hammers between 1988 and 1999, and it was during his second stint he played alongside current coach Bilic.

The Bristolian told the club website: “I was with the Ladies last year and I thoroughly enjoyed that, but to get the opportunity to work with Slaven, his coaching staff and the first-team players is a dream come true.

“This is a Premier League club with some very good players already in the squad and some more very good players set to come in this summer. It is exciting times for me and exciting times for West Ham.

“I met up with Slaven last week and, although we had not met in person for a few years, it was like we had never been apart. We had a hug and a kiss and sat down and talked all about West Ham and all about football.

“We had a great relationship when we played together in the same team here and I am sure we will work well together again as manager and coach.”

Dicks, who also turned out for Liverpool, added: “Slaven was a top player and he has gone on to become a very good manager.

“His teams play a high-tempo pressing game and I am sure he will instil that style of play here at West Ham.

“I have always said that the first quality that players must illustrate is hard work. If you then have very good players who work very hard, then you can achieve great things and hopefully we can do that here at West Ham.

“I understand that I will be involved on the training pitch and in the meetings and I cannot wait to get down to work with Slaven, his assistant and his other coaches.”