Slaven Bilic returns to coach the Croatian national team

Slaven Bilic has returned to coach the Croatian national football team, succeeding Zlatko Dalic, who resigned last week after Croatia’s exit from the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup at the hands of Portugal. The former defender, who previously held the role between 2006 and 2012, replaces the most successful coach in the national team’s history, who led Croatia to the runners-up spot at the 2018 World Cup and third place in the 2022 edition.

Croatia failed to replicate their achievements in 2018 and 2022, exiting the current tournament, hosted in North America, in the Round of 32 after a thrilling 2-1 defeat to Portugal, which saw three of their goals disallowed for offside.

The Croatian Football Federation stated: “Based on the proposal of Federation President Marijan Kustic, the Executive Committee unanimously appointed Slaven Bilic as head coach of the Croatian national team.”

During his previous stint with the national team, Bilic, 57, achieved a higher win percentage than Dalic, recording 42 wins, 15 draws, and 8 losses in 65 matches, compared to his predecessor’s record of 57 wins, 26 draws, and 28 losses in 111 matches. However, his best achievement with the national team was reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, where they lost to Turkey on penalties.

Bilic earned 44 caps for Croatia and has managed several clubs, including West Ham United, for whom he played in the mid-1990s, as well as West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, Turkish club Besiktas, and Saudi Pro League team Al-Jeddah. His most recent managerial position was with Saudi club Al-Fateh during the 2023-2024 season.

Dalic managed the national team from 2017 and also led them to the Round of 16 at Euro 2020.

Bilic’s first major assignment will be in September and October next year in the UEFA Nations League, where Croatia will face the Czech Republic, Spain (twice), and England in the League A Group 3.