Slaven Bilic was reappointed as manager of the Croatia men’s national football team on July 13, 2026, replacing Zlatko Dalic who stepped down following Croatia’s round of 32 loss to Portugal at the 2026 World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4].
Bilic previously led Croatia’s senior team from 2006 to 2012, managing 65 matches during that period [1, 2, 3, 4]. As a player, he earned 44 international caps and was part of the squad that finished third in the 1998 World Cup [1, 2, 3, 4].
His coaching resume includes spells in English football with West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford. Most recently, Bilic managed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Fateh during the 2023-2024 season before leaving the club in 2024 [1, 2, 3, 4].
Bilic expressed strong confidence in the current national team squad. “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,” he said [1]. He added he felt fully prepared for the role, bringing maturity and experience from his previous tenure alongside motivation to keep Croatia “powerful, bold, and successful” [1].
Zlatko Dalic resigned after nearly nine years in charge, concluding his tenure following the 2026 World Cup defeat to Portugal [1, 2, 3, 4]. Bilic’s immediate challenge will be to guide Croatia through qualification for Euro 2028 and prepare the squad for the 2030 World Cup [2, 3, 4].
Croatia’s football federation announced Bilic’s appointment on July 13. Testing his leadership against upcoming international fixtures will be the next key step for the team.
