Slaven Bilic makes surprise return as Croatia manager after early World Cup exit | OneFootball

Slaven Bilic is back as coach of Croatia, following the departure of the team's most successful coach, Zlatko Dalic, after the World Cup.

Bilic returns to a job he left 14 years ago, after six years in charge, with experience of coaching in the Premier League with West Ham and West Bromwich Albion, as well as in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

"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 said in a statement.

The national side Bilic inherits exited the World Cup in the round of 32 after a 2-1 loss to Portugal. Their last-gasp equaliser was controversially ruled offside due to the lightest of touches detected by a ball sensor, leading to widespread recriminations.

Zlatko Dalic resigned from his position as Croatia manager last week (Getty)

Dalic's nine-year tenure saw him lead Croatia to their only World Cup final in 2018 and then third place in 2022. He was hailed by the national federation as the "greatest Croatian coach of all time" upon his resignation last week.

Bilic was a standout defender in the team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup, a landmark result for the then-newly independent nation.

He then became Croatia manager for the first time in 2006, leading the team in 65 matches before leaving in 2012. Croatia won 42 of these matches, losing just nine times alongside 14 draws.

Arguably Bilic’s most famous match during his first spell as Croatia boss came against England in November 2007 when Croatia beat the Three Lions 3-2 at a rain-soaked Wembley.

This result meant that England failed to qualify for the European Championship, and Steve McClaren swiftly announced his resignation after the match.

Bilic’s last coaching job was with Saudi club Al Fateh from July 2023 to August 2024. After almost two years away from the touchline he is now set to return to lead his country as Croatia aim to build towards Euro 2028, which is being held across the UK and Republic of Ireland.