A landmark event has occurred in Croatian football: Slaven Bilić has been officially appointed as the head coach of the national team. This marks the return of the legendary specialist to a post he previously held. Bilić will replace Zlatko Dalić, who resigned following an unsuccessful performance at the World Cup.
The End of the Dalić Era
Zlatko Dalić left his post after Croatia sensationally lost to Portugal in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. His departure marked the end of nearly nine years in charge, one of the longest tenures in the history of the national team. Despite past successes, including reaching the 2018 World Cup final, the defeat at the latest tournament proved to be the final straw.
Bilić's Second Coming
Slaven Bilić is already familiar with managing the Croatian national team. Between 2006 and 2012, he led the national squad, conducting 65 matches. During this period, under his guidance, Croatia secured 42 victories, drew 15 times, and suffered only 8 defeats. His first tenure is considered one of the most successful in the history of domestic football.
Now, Bilić returns to lead the national team in a new capacity. He noted that he feels more mature and experienced as a coach compared to his first stint with the team.
Full Trust in the Players
At a press conference, Bilić declared his full trust in the current squad. "My task is to restore energy, ambition, and determination so that Croatia remains among the world's football elite," he emphasized. These words signaled that the new coach intends to work with the same collective but with new ideas and an approach.
A Legend and a Coach
Bilić is not just a coach but a cult figure for Croatian football. As a player, he made 44 appearances for the national team and won a bronze medal at the 1998 World Cup—a historic achievement for the country.
After leaving the national team in 2012, he built a busy club career. He coached English clubs West Ham, West Bromwich, and Watford, Moscow's Lokomotiv (2012–2013), Turkey's Beşiktaş, Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, and China's Beijing Guoan. The 57-year-old specialist's last place of work was the Saudi club Al-Fateh, where he spent the 2023/24 season. Following this, he was on a sabbatical.
Context of Global Resignations
The World Cup triggered a wave of head coach resignations worldwide. Many national teams have already begun searching for new mentors. For instance, the Mexican national team was taken over by a legend of Mexican football and Barcelona, while Uruguay also found a new coach among its national idols.
The return of Slaven Bilić is not just a change of coach but an attempt to put the Croatian national team back on the path to success. His experience, authority, and deep connection with the national team make him the ideal candidate for the role of leader during this transitional period.
