Bilić answers Croatia call
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Article summary
Former Croatia defender Slaven Bilić, 37, will mastermind his country's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign after being appointed coach on Tuesday.
Article body
Former international defender Slaven Bilić will mastermind Croatia's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign after being named as his country's new coach.
Under-21 experience
The 37-year-old was the unanimous choice of the Croatian Football Federation's executive committee after a meeting today, according to president Vlatko Marković who said: "He is an excellent man who deserves this position after his great career as a player for Croatia and following his good work with the Under-21s." Bilić, who helped his country finish third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, has been in charge of the U21 side since summer 2004. He replaces Zlatko Kranjčar who was relieved of his duties after Croatia failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
'Honour'
Successful career