Slaven Bilić is the new manager of the Croatian national football team. The Commission and the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) confirmed his appointment on Monday, and according to reports in Slobodna Dalmacija, he has signed a contract for four years, until the 2030 World Cup.
Bilić takes the Croatia bench 20 years after he first took charge of the national team, succeeding Zlatko Dalić. Initial reports suggested a contract until Euro 2028, but the federation has shown him twice as much confidence with a longer mandate, Slobodna Dalmacija writes.
Following the confirmation of his appointment, Bilić first appeared as a guest on the HRT programme Americana, and the next day on Dnevnik at Nova TV, where he set sporting goals. "Our aim is a major result at the European Championship in 2028, but we will not ignore the Nations League," he said.
He also touched upon the status of Luka Modrić, with the message that his wish, like that of most Croatian fans, is for the captain to continue playing for the national team. "We have spoken, we are in contact and we have agreed, but there is no point discussing this right now," he said.
As motives for his return, he cited the stability of the federation, the potential and quality of the current squad, and the continuity of the national team's results. He also revealed that contacts with the federation had been ongoing since the elimination by Italy at the European Championship two years ago. They always, he says, included the same caveat — if and when Dalić leaves.
The former manager intends to contact him personally when his schedule of duties calms down. He does not wish to reveal the composition of the coaching staff until he has formed it, but he confirmed that Vedran Ćorluka, Dalić's long-time assistant, will not be part of it.
