The Croatian national football team has officially brought back former defender Slaven Bilic to serve as their head coach. Bilic takes over the position from Zlatko Dalic, who resigned after nearly a decade in the role following the team’s elimination in the World Cup round of 32 by Portugal.
During his initial tenure between 2006 and 2012, Bilic recorded 42 victories, 15 draws, and eight losses across 65 games. Expressing his enthusiasm for the return, Bilic noted that he possesses the same drive as before but brings a more seasoned perspective to the role. He emphasized his goal of maintaining Croatia’s status among the world’s top football nations.
A veteran of the 1998 World Cup semi-final squad, Bilic earned 44 international caps as a player. His coaching resume includes stints with English clubs such as West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford, alongside his most recent position at the Saudi Arabian club Al-Fateh for the 2023-2024 campaign.
