Premier League cult hero, 57, appointed new Croatia manager following early World Cup exit

SLAVEN BILIC has been reappointed as the Croatia manager following the nation’s exit from the World Cup.

The former Premier League boss had been out of management since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fateh in 2024.

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Bilic, 57, previously coached the Croatia national team between 2006 and 2012.

He has now taken the role back after Zlatko Dalic stepped down from the position following the World Cup exit.

Croatia were dumped out of the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the last-32.

The team will now have Bilic take charge in a time when veterans such as Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic will likely bow out.

The retired defender has spoken since being reinstated and insisted that he will help the team continue to challenge.

He said: “I have the complete confidence in our players, and it is my responsibility to bring energy, ambition and determination to ensure that Croatia remains among football‘s elite.

“I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006.

“Yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful.”

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Bilic was a fan favourite at West Ham, having both played and managed the team.

He spent a memorable 18 months at the Hammers between 1996 and 1997 before moving to Everton.

He would retire from playing in 2000 at his home team Hajduk Split, before going into management.

Bilic was appointed manager of West Ham in 2015 for their final season at Upton Park.

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He helped the team to a 7th-place finish that season, which also saw them break a number of club records.

This included West Ham’s record points tally for a Prem season (62), number of goals scored (65) and a positive goal difference for the first time.

Bilic was sacked by the club in 2017 after a poor run of results and was replaced by David Moyes.

He then went on to manage Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, West Brom back in the Prem and Watford in the Championship.

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