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Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing has revealed he decided to quit West Ham because Slaven Bilic didn't make him feel wanted.
The 31-year-old re-signed for Boro for £5.5million earlier this month, bringing to an end a two-year spell at Upton Park.
Downing was brought to West Ham by Sam Allardyce in the summer of 2013 and some impressive displays in claret and blue led to calls for an England recall.
But Allardyce left the club at the end of last season and Downing felt it was the right time to leave the Hammers.
"After speaking to Slaven, I didn't get the feel of someone who really wanted me, " Downing said.
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"He said, 'I'd love you to stay', but I didn't get the feel of someone who really wanted me."
