Kevin Nolan has explained why he left West Ham and turned his back on Premier League offers to become Leyton Orient's player-manager.
The 33-year-old spent four years at the Hammers and helped the club earn promotion back into the top flight under Sam Allardyce
But Slaven Bilic made it clear to Nolan that he would not be guaranteed regular football after the Croatian took over at Upton Park last summer.
Nolan had one year remaining on his contract but the veteran midfielder opted to depart as he did not feel a reduced role would be beneficial to him or the club.
"There was no moment of 'oh yeah, that's the final nail in the coffin for me at West Ham.'
"Slaven Bilic was first class and I loved working with him," Nolan told the Times.
"He said 'I can't guarantee you'll play but you'll always be around my squad.'
"I could have picked up my money, but I didn't feel like I was giving what I can to a team.
"I played 29 times in the Premier League last season, but I can't give what I give from the substitutes' bench.
"There's a drive inside. I needed a challenge, the next step."
Nolan initially linked up with Orient to keep fit and - after rejecting a contract - was offered the player-manager position in January in the wake of Ian Hendon's dismissal.
Nolan has guided the League Two outfit to five wins in nine games since he took charge and the east Londoners are currently three points outside the play-off places.
