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Slaven Bilić has been appointed Croatia head coach, returning to the national team after previously leading the side from 2006 to 2012.
From Croatia U-21 coach to the senior national team
Bilić began his career as a national team coach on 18 August 2004, when he was appointed head coach of Croatia’s under-21 team. During his two-year tenure, he worked with a generation of young players who would later become important members of the senior national side.
According to the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), his work at youth level was characterised by discipline, modern training methods and an emphasis on building a winning mentality.
Following the 2006 World Cup, Slaven Bilić succeeded Zlatko Kranjčar as head coach of the senior Croatia national team. He officially took charge on 16 August 2006 and began his tenure with a friendly victory over reigning world champions Italy in Livorno.
Croatia’s successful Euro 2008 campaign
Bilić led Croatia to UEFA Euro 2008 after the team finished first in its qualifying group, ahead of England, Russia, Israel, Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra.
The campaign was particularly remembered for Croatia’s two victories over England: a 2–0 win in Zagreb and a 3–2 victory at Wembley.
At Euro 2008, Croatia topped a group containing Austria, Germany and Poland after winning all three matches. The team was eliminated by Turkey in the quarter-finals following a penalty shootout.
Croatia later failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, finishing behind England and Ukraine in its qualifying group.
Euro 2012 and the end of his Croatia tenure
Slaven Bilić guided Croatia to Euro 2012 through the play-offs, where his side defeated Turkey.
At the final tournament, Croatia faced Spain, Italy and Ireland. The team beat Ireland, drew with Italy and suffered a narrow defeat to eventual champions Spain, finishing the competition in the group stage.
Bilić stepped down after Euro 2012, ending a six-year spell in charge of the senior national team. During that period, he introduced several younger players, oversaw a generational transition and developed a recognisable style of play.
He managed Croatia in 65 matches, recording 42 victories, 15 draws and eight defeats.
Playing career in Croatia, Germany and England
Bilić began his senior playing career with Hajduk Split, making his first-team debut in 1988.
During his time with the club, he won the Yugoslav Cup in 1991, Croatia’s first independent league championship in 1992 and the Croatian Cup in 1993.
He joined German club Karlsruhe in 1993, establishing himself in the Bundesliga and European competition. Slaven Bilić later moved to the English Premier League, playing for West Ham United and Everton.
After two seasons with Everton, Bilić returned to Hajduk. Persistent injury problems eventually brought his professional playing career to an end.
Club coaching career
Bilić’s first independent coaching role came with Hajduk in 2001. After leaving the Croatia national team in 2012, he took charge of Lokomotiv Moscow.
A year later, he became head coach of Beşiktaş, guiding the Turkish club to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.
In the summer of 2015, Slaven Bilić returned to West Ham United as manager. During his first season, the club finished seventh in the Premier League, one of its strongest results in the modern era.
He later coached Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad before taking charge of West Bromwich Albion in 2019. In his first season, he led the club to promotion to the Premier League.
Bilić subsequently worked at Beijing Guoan in China, Watford in England and Al-Fateh in Saudi Arabia, continuing a coaching career that has taken him across several major football markets.
Slaven Bilić returns as Croatia head coach
Zlatko Dalić stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, bringing his nine-year tenure as Croatia head coach to an end.
The Croatian Football Federation has since officially announced that Slaven Bilić will return to take charge of the national team.
