Cape Town - Slaven Bilic admits he felt his job was at stake before West Ham United overcame Huddersfield 2-0 on Monday night.
Pedro Obiang broke the deadlock at the London Stadium on 72 minutes as Andre Ayew made the game safe five minutes later.
It was the Hammers' first points of the season after losses to Manchester United, Southampton and Newcastle - all away from home.
After the game, Bilic told Sky Sports: "I am happy for the lads, I am happy for the whole club. It was very important for us.
"We started with three away games, three defeats. It was a must-win game. I was pleased with the way we played. Even if we didn't win the game I could say nothing to the lads, they gave everything.
"We played good. It wasn't a nice performance but it was a top performance in all other stuff, in the second balls, in determination, in closing them down, in getting the corners and free-kicks and all that. We totally deserved it.
"I've felt the pressure for a whole year now, it didn't start today. Although for me it's not logical to be under pressure after three games only but it is modern football and of course I have felt the pressure.
"But we kept the calmness, we changed a little bit the shape of the team and we said to the guys that you're going to go back to basics."