Overview
- The Croatian Football Federation’s Executive Committee voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Slaven Bilic as head coach and presented him at an HNS event.
- Bilic replaces Zlatko Dalic, who resigned last week after Croatia’s round-of-32 exit from the 2026 World Cup.
- This marks Bilic’s second spell with the national team after managing Croatia from 2006 to 2012 and ends a near two-year break since he left Saudi club Al-Fateh in 2024.
- His immediate work includes assembling a backroom staff with longtime collaborator Dean Racunica linked to a role, preparing for Nations League games in September, and beginning the Euro 2028 qualification campaign; media reports say his contract is around €1 million gross per year.
- HNS frames the hire as a stability-first move to balance keeping Croatia competitive while managing an ageing core led by veteran players and starting a roster renewal that will shape the team through Euro 2028.