Croatia confirms Slaven Bilić as new national team coach – succeeding Zlatko Dalić

Dalić's departure after nine years

Dalić had led Croatia to the final in 2018 in Russia, which was lost 2:4 against France. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the team secured another podium finish with a 2:1 victory over Morocco in the third-place play-off. That period is considered the most successful in the history of Croatian football.

With Bilić, a coach returns who was already in charge of the national team between 2006 and 2012. His first tenure included the quarter-final at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland – where Croatia fell to Turkey – as well as the group-stage exit at Euro 2012 and the failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Bilić's second tenure: the 2008 quarter-final as the benchmark

After his first stint as national coach, Bilić went through a series of spells in club football. He managed Lokomotiv Moscow, Besiktas Istanbul, West Ham United, Al-Ittihad Jeddah, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan and Watford. Most recently, he was in charge of Saudi top-flight side Al-Fateh until August 2024 and was then out of coaching work for nearly two years.

As an active player, Bilić was a defender and featured for, among others, Hajduk Split, Karlsruher SC (1993 to 1996), West Ham United and Everton. After his move to the touchline, the role at the helm of the Croatian national team brought him early international recognition.

Kustić acknowledged that succeeding long-standing successful coach Dalić was no easy task: „Die Nachfolge von Zlatko anzutreten, ist keine leichte Aufgabe." At the same time, he expressed his conviction „dass Slaven der richtige Mann für diese Rolle ist" and pledged the federation's full support.

The upcoming fixtures for the Croatian team are already set. In September and October, the UEFA Nations League awaits, where Croatia will face the Czech Republic (26 September), Spain (29 September and 6 October) and England (3 October). These matches also mark the start under the new coach.

Nations League as the first real test

Behind the personnel decisions lies the challenge of a managed generational change. With Luka Modrić (40), Ivan Perišić (37) and Mateo Kovačić (32), central figures of the so-called „golden generation" are approaching the end of their careers. A possible new pillar is seen in 19-year-old Luka Vušković, who, however, was only used sporadically at the World Cup.

The federation also justifies the choice of Bilić with his familiarity with Croatian football and his international contacts. Kustić stressed that Bilić has „die volle Unterstützung der Spieler, Fans und der Öffentlichkeit, um Kroatien zu neuen Erfolgen zu führen".

Generational change in the squad

Even though the current World Cup is still ongoing, attention in Croatia is already turning to the upcoming tournaments. After the team under Dalić had reached the highest level to date, Bilić is expected to continue that line while simultaneously initiating the transition.

The federation also made clear that the separation from Dalić had been mutually agreed. Dalić had decided, after nine years and 111 matches, not to extend his expiring contract. Those responsible expressly thanked him for his services to Croatian football.

Overall, Bilić faces a dual task: on the one hand, maintaining the level of success achieved under Dalić, and on the other, integrating young players at an early stage in order to gradually replace the „goldene Generation". The first answers will be provided by the Nations League matches in autumn.