On the proposal of president Marijan Kustić, the Executive Committee of the Croatian Football Federation unanimously voted to appoint Slaven Bilić as the new head coach of the Croatia senior national team.
Following the departure of Zlatko Dalić, Slaven Bilić returns to the Croatia bench, a role he previously held from 2006 to 2012. The HNS Expert Commission also gave its full backing to President Kustić’s proposal ahead of the Executive Committee meeting.
“I would like to once again thank Zlatko for the exceptional results he achieved during his tenure, and we of course, respect and understand his decision to bring his era in charge of Croatia to a close with this World Cup. It is not easy to follow in Zlatko’s footsteps, but we are convinced that Slaven is the right person for this role. He is a celebrated former international who now has vast coaching and managerial experience behind him, and I am certain he has the full support of the players, the fans, and the wider public to lead Croatia to new successes. I extend a warm welcome to Slaven. He will, of course, have the full support of the Federation in his work, and I wish him the very best of luck in his new tenure,” said HNS president Marijan Kustić.
“I would like to thank President Kustić and the Federation’s leadership for the confidence and trust they have shown in allowing me to lead the Croatian national team once again — the greatest honor for any Croatian coach. I am fully aware of the high expectations that follow such a remarkable period under Zlatko Dalić, but anyone who takes charge of Croatia must be prepared for that, because we are a football nation that lives and breathes its national team. I have great faith in the players we have at our disposal, and it is my responsibility to bring the energy, ambition and determination to keep Croatia among football’s elite. I am tremendously excited by this challenge, for which I feel completely ready; a more mature and experienced coach than I was in 2006, but with exactly the same motivation and desire to see Croatia be powerful, fearless and successful,” said new Croatia head coach Slaven Bilić.
