Slaven Bilić is the new head coach of the Croatian national team. The commission and the executive board of the Croatian Football Federation confirmed him on Monday, and according to Slobodna Dalmatia, he has signed a contract for four years, until the 2030 World Cup.
Bilić takes the helm of the 'Vatreni' 20 years after his first stint with the national team, succeeding Zlatko Dalić. Initial reports suggested a contract until Euro 2028, but the federation has granted him a mandate twice as long, Slobodna Dalmacija reports.
Following the confirmation of his appointment, Bilić first appeared on HRT's Americana programme, and the following day on Dnevnik on Nova TV, where he outlined his sporting objectives. "Our goal is a great result at the European Championship in 2028, but we will not ignore the Nations League," he said.
He also addressed the status of Luka Modrić, noting with a message that his wish, like that of most Croatian fans, is for the captain to continue playing for the national team. "We have spoken, we are in contact and we have reached an agreement, but there is no point in discussing this now," he said.
Citing the stability of the federation, the potential and quality of the existing squad, and the continuity of the national team's results, he explained that the contacts with the federation had been ongoing since Croatia's elimination from the European Championship two years prior. He stated that the contacts always included a caveat: waiting for Dalić to leave.
The former coach is expected to be approached personally once the schedule of obligations has settled. The composition of the coaching staff is not to be revealed until he has formed it, but he confirmed that Vedran Ćorluka, Dalić's long-time assistant, would not be part of it.
