Croatia appoint Slaven Bilić as national team manager

Slaven Bilic has been appointed as the new head coach of Croatia.

The 57-year-old previously led the team between 2006 and 2012 and his appointment comes following the departure of Zlatko Dalic in the aftermath of the team’s World Cup exit.

Croatia finished second in Group L, one point behind England, but were knocked out of the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the last 32.

“I have the complete confidence in our players, and it is my responsibility to bring energy, ambition, and determination to ensure that Croatia remains among football’s elite,” Bilic said in a post on the Croatian Football Federation’s X account.

“I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful.”

Bilic won 44 international caps as a central defender, scoring three goals and featuring at Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup.

He twice played against the Republic of Ireland as a player, including a Euro 2000 qualifier where Davor Suker’s late winner broke Irish hearts in Zagreb.

As a manger, he led Croatia out twice against the Boys in Green, most recenty at Euro 2012, where the Adriatic side were 3-1 winners in Poznan.

He was also linked with the managerial position with the Republic of Ireland before the FAI hired Heimir Hallgrimsson.

His first stint as Croatia manager resulted in 42 wins, 15 draws and eight defeats from 65 matches.

Bilic has managed a number of clubs, including West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Watford in England, while his most recent job was at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Fateh, during the 2023-2024 season.