Featured image: Joshjdss/Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0)
Slaven Bilić has been appointed the new Croatia head coach following Zlatko Dalić’s departure after the 2026 World Cup. The former Croatia international previously led the Vatreni from 2006 to 2012.
Ahead of the Executive Committee meeting, the HNS Technical Committee also gave its full support to Kustić’s proposal.
“Once again, I would like to thank Zlatko for the exceptional results he achieved during his tenure, and we respect his decision to bring his era as Croatia coach to an end with this World Cup. It is not easy to succeed Zlatko, but we are convinced that Slaven is the right person for the role,” HNS president Marijan Kustić said.
He added that Bilić, as the new Croatia head coach, brings extensive experience as both a club coach and national team manager and will have the Federation’s full support.
Bilić: I know what is expected of me
After his appointment as the new Croatia head coach, Bilić thanked the HNS leadership for their confidence and said he fully understands the responsibility that comes with the role.
“I have been here as a player, coach and U-21 head coach, and then spent six years in charge of the senior national team. I know very well what is expected of me, and I am extremely happy to have been given the opportunity to become Croatia coach again,” Bilić said at his first press conference following his appointment as the new Croatia head coach.
He said he was aware of the high expectations after Croatia’s successful period under Zlatko Dalić, but also stressed his belief in the quality of the players available to him.
“It is up to me to bring energy, ambition and determination so that Croatia remains part of football’s elite. I am extremely excited about this challenge. I feel ready, as a more mature and experienced coach than I was in 2006, but with the same motivation and desire for Croatia to be powerful, bold and successful,” the new Croatia head coach said.
First, a conversation with Luka Modrić
Among Bilić’s first tasks will be assembling his coaching staff and speaking with the players, particularly captain Luka Modrić.
“My first step is to put together the coaching staff, and the second is to speak with the players, above all Luka Modrić. We all know who Luka is and how much he means to world football and to the Croatian national team. A World Cup is not the same when Luka is there and when he is not,” the new Croatia head coach said.
He added that he would very much like Modrić to continue playing for Croatia, but stressed that the decision was entirely his.
Bilić also announced that he would speak with Zlatko Dalić, praising the results he achieved during his nine years in charge.
“I will certainly speak with Zlatko. He achieved phenomenal results. He showed that the dream can be achieved, and that is one of my biggest motivations,” he said.
Euro 2028 is the main target
Bilić made no attempt to hide his ambitions for his new spell in charge. He identified three foundations for future success: the stability of the Federation, the quality and potential of the squad, and the continuity of Croatia’s major football achievements.
“I have come here to achieve a major result. We will be modest and humble and take things step by step, but I will not hide my ambition. Euro 2028 is first and foremost in my mind,” he said.
Before the European Championship, Croatia will also compete in the Nations League, which Bilić does not intend to treat merely as preparation.
“Some will say the Nations League should be sacrificed for the sake of building the team, but we all remember how good it felt to play in the semi-final and final in Rotterdam. A major result will require a great deal of unity, but that is exactly why I am here,” he said.
Quality will be the main criterion
The new Croatia head coach stressed that quality would be the primary criterion when selecting players, regardless of their age or the club they represent.
“The national team is not a club. There are no contracts or player sales here. The best Croatian footballers must play for the national team. Behaviour and compatibility on the pitch are important, but the main criterion must be quality,” Bilić said.
The same will apply to players from the Croatian Football League.
“Playing well for Manchester City is not the same as playing well for Hajduk because there is a difference between the Premier League and the HNL. But during my first spell we showed that we do not look only at where someone plays. Nobody will be given an advantage simply because they are young. If two players are of similar quality, then we will also consider the long term,” he explained.
Croatia’s new head coach Bilić wants a bold team
Speaking about his preferred style of play, Bilić said he wants as many technically gifted players as possible, but also a team capable of recognising the moment to attack an opponent decisively.
“I want my teams to play good football. I will try to put as many players as possible on the pitch who are comfortable on the ball, and my job is to make them run and carry out the necessary defensive work,” he said.
As an example, he pointed to the second half of Croatia’s World Cup match against Portugal, when the team showed the side of itself he wants to see more often.
“When you sense that the opponent is there for the taking, there can be no more stepping back. You have to go for it decisively, like a Rottweiler. Of course, it is not possible to play like that in every match, but I want us to show that attitude and confidence more often, while still respecting every opponent,” new Croatia head coach Slaven Bilić concluded.
