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Slaven Bilic returns as Croatia manager with Luka Modric's future top of the agenda
Slaven Bilić
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2026-07-16
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Who is this?
Slaven Bilić (pronounced [slǎʋen bǐːlitɕ]; born 11 September 1968) is a Croatian professional football manager and former player. Bilić, who played as a defender, began his career in 1988 with his hometown club Hajduk Split, later having successful spells with Karlsruher SC in Germany, and West Ham United and Everton in England before retiring from active football in 2001. At the international level, Bilić served as one of Croatia's most consistent defenders during the tenure of coach Miroslav Blažević, earning 44 caps between 1992 and 1999. Following his retirement as a player in 2001 at Hajduk Split, Bilić coached the team in the second half of the 2001–02 season. Between 2004 and 2006, he managed the Croatia national under-21 team, before taking over the senior national side. He led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2008 European Championship and left after the next edition four years later. He was praised for his long-standing service to the national side and credited with successfully overseeing the introduction of a series of young players from the under-21 squad to the senior side. He then managed Lokomotiv Moscow, Beşiktaş, West Ham United, Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al Fateh.
Career
- 1968Born
- 1988Joined HNK Hajduk Split
- 1988Joined HNK Šibenik
- 1988Joined NK Primorac 1929
- 1992Joined Croatia men's national football team
- 1993Joined Karlsruher SC
- 1996Joined West Ham United F.C.
- 1997Joined Everton F.C.
- 1999Joined HNK Hajduk Split
Trivia
- •Place of birth: Split
- •Citizenship: Croatia
- •Known as: association football player, association football coach, musician
- •Sport: association football
What happened recently
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World Cup 2026: England’s James ready for semi-final, Bilic returns as Croatia coach
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West Bromwich Albion fan views: Slaven Bilic, Derek McInnes and James Morrison among favoured contenders
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Exclusive: Blackburn Rovers Eye Slaven Bilic or Gary Rowett After Valérien Ismaël Axe
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Chelsea players expect Liam Rosenior arrival as Slaven Bilic waits in West Ham wings
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Ex-West Ham boss Slaven Bilic reveals how close he was to sensational return after Graham Potter sacking
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