Bilic returns to Croatia bench as Dalic era ends in last-16 controversy
The former West Ham and Lokomotiv Moscow manager replaces Zlatko Dalic, who resigned after a contentious World Cup elimination by Portugal.
Slaven Bilić was confirmed as head coach of the Croatian national team on Monday, returning to the role he held from 2006 to 2012 after the resignation of Zlatko Dalić. The change was triggered by Croatia’s exit from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32, a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in which three Croatian goals were disallowed for offside, including a stoppage-time equaliser. Dalić criticised the officiating but acknowledged it could not excuse the result, and stepped down after nine years in charge.
Dalić leaves as the most successful coach in the federation’s history, having guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022, as well as a Nations League runners-up medal in 2023. Bilić’s first spell, by contrast, peaked with a quarter-final appearance at Euro 2008 — where Croatia lost to Turkey on penalties — and included failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. His 65-match record of 42 wins, 15 draws and eight defeats yields a higher win percentage than Dalić’s 57 victories in 111 games, but the earlier tenure lacked a deep tournament run.
Bilić, 57, arrives after a peripatetic club career that took him from Hajduk Split to the Premier League, the Russian Premier League, the Saudi Pro League and the Chinese Super League. Russian football observers recall his 2012-13 season at Lokomotiv Moscow, where the side finished ninth, while Arab media note his spells at Al Ittihad and Al Fateh. British outlets highlight his famous Wembley victory over England in 2007, a result that helped define his first Croatia era. In a federation statement, Bilić said he felt “fully prepared” and “more mature and experienced than in 2006”, pledging to keep Croatia “among football’s elite”.
His immediate task is to navigate a Nations League group that pits Croatia against Czechia, Spain and England in September and October, with the longer-term goal of qualifying for Euro 2028. The federation has not disclosed the length of his contract, though local media reports suggest it runs until that tournament. For a football nation still absorbing the manner of its World Cup exit, the return of a familiar figure offers both continuity and a sharp break with the Dalić era.
| Atlantic / Anglosphere press | +0.60 | aligned |
|---|---|---|
| Russian & CIS press | +0.20 | neutral |
| Arab Gulf press | +0.30 | aligned |
| Continental European press | +0.30 | aligned |
Croatia welcomes back a proven winner, Bilic, whose Wembley triumph still resonates. The federation trusts his maturity to continue Dalic's work.
The bloc uses the nostalgic Wembley victory to frame Bilic as a heroic figure, creating a positive narrative that glosses over his later failures.
The atlantica bloc omits Bilic's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign, which ended in group stage elimination, to maintain a purely celebratory tone.
Russia claims Bilic as one of its own, highlighting his successful stint at Lokomotiv Moscow. The appointment is a testament to the quality of Russian football.
The bloc emphasizes Bilic's Russian connection to create a sense of ownership and pride, downplaying his other international experiences.
The Russian bloc omits Bilic's coaching stints outside Russia, such as at West Ham and in Saudi Arabia, to focus solely on his Lokomotiv connection.
The Gulf region celebrates the appointment of a former Al-Ittihad coach, showcasing the Saudi league's growing influence. Bilic's return to Croatia is a proud moment for Saudi football.
The bloc highlights his Saudi club connection to assert the league's relevance, ignoring his broader coaching career.
The Gulf bloc omits Bilic's previous Croatian tenure details and his Russian connection, focusing only on his Saudi club stint.
Germany welcomes the return of a former Bundesliga star to the international stage, underscoring the league's role in shaping top coaches. Bilic's Bundesliga background is a key part of his identity.
The bloc emphasizes his Bundesliga past to claim a shared European football heritage, omitting his non-European coaching roles.
The European continental bloc omits Bilic's coaching experiences outside Europe, such as in Russia and Saudi Arabia, to present him as a product of European football.
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