A Familiar Face Returns to Zagreb

Slaven Bilic looks set to take charge of Croatia again. Reports from Zagreb suggest he has agreed personal terms, with an announcement expected today. The move ends weeks of speculation over who follows Zlatko Dalic, who stepped down after Croatia’s dramatic World Cup exit to Portugal.

Bilic previously managed Croatia between 2006 and 2012. That spell still holds a special place in fans’ memories. He guided the side to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, famously denying England qualification along the way. He also handed a young Luka Modric his breakthrough into the senior squad, a decision that shaped Croatian football for nearly two decades.

Six years after Dalic’s own reign began, the federation now appears ready to trust Bilic once more. Sources close to the squad say players reacted warmly when the federation raised his return, a signal that internal backing exists before he even takes his first training session.

Big Shoes and Bigger Expectations

Replacing Dalic will not be simple. Under his stewardship, Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final and claimed bronze in 2022. Few coaches inherit a legacy this heavy. Big shoes indeed. Still, Bilic brings something Dalic lacked at the start: a genuine bond with this generation of players.

Whether nostalgia translates into results remains the open question. Critics point to a mixed decade across club spells in Russia, Turkey, England and Saudi Arabia. Supporters counter that no other candidate understands the dressing room quite like he does.

For readers tracking how new international appointments ripple through squads and markets, our transfer roundup covers this summer’s wider managerial shake-up. Further detail on Croatia’s process sits with UEFA’s official coverage.