Slaven Bilić

Slaven Bilić

Personal information
Full name	Slaven Bilić
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender

Slaven Bilić [ˈslaʋɛn ˈbiːlitɕ] (born September 11, 1968 in Split, SFR Yugoslavia) is a former Croatian football player and current coach of the Croatian national team. He was an important member of the Croatian team during their successes from 1994-1998, winning a third place medal in the 1998 World Cup. On April 30th Bilic agreed to extend his contract for a further two years. The new deal is worth 1.2 million kuna ($257,300) a year and will take the former Croatia defender up to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. The National Team coach rankings has long recognised Bilić as the second best national team manager in the world, behind Dunga of Brazil.

Playing career

Bilić began his career at his hometown club, Hajduk Split. At nineteen years of age he spent six seasons there as a professional before moving to the Bundesliga in a £750,000 deal in 1993. After impressing for German side Karlsruher SC including a UEFA Cup semi-final appearance he was bought by English Premiership side West Ham United's manager Harry Redknapp for a fee of £1.3 m, in January 1996.

His form for the Hammers saw him selected for the Croatian national team for the Euro 96 held in England. He shone on the international stage as Croatia made their way to the quarterfinals of the tournament where they were beaten by eventual winners Germany.

His displays in the tournament led to Joe Royle brokering a £4.5M move to Everton in March 1997, but Bilić claimed he had a debt of loyalty to West Ham that saw him stay with the club until the end of the season to ensure they were not relegated. He turned out for Everton in August 1997, after assuring himself of new manager Howard Kendall's full support, he initially brought some class to Toffee's backline but his season was marred by bookings that saw him miss several games through suspension.

It looked like his Everton career was over but he went into the 1998 World Cup with Croatia and the team were the surprise package of the tournament, reaching the semi-finals where they were beaten by hosts France. Croatia finished in third place after winning the playoff game. Bilić was involved in controversy during the tournament for the role he played in the dismissal of Laurent Blanc in the semi-final with France. Bilić fell to the floor clutching his head after coming allegedly receiving a blow from Blanc's swinging arm, who was dismissed by the referee and subsequently missed the World Cup final.

After his exertions in the World Cup, Bilić revealed a nagging groin strain that required rest and treatment, which he took back home in Croatia. After missing the first quarter of the season, Bilić was left wondering if he would get back into the Everton side now managed by Walter Smith. He did so and showed some good form but could never fully establish himself due to injuries and suspensions.

Everton decided cut their losses on Bilić in July 1999, leaving him free to choose a new club but unwanted in England he continued to play only for Croatia on a £27,000-a-week contract with Everton while living in Zagreb. The club eventually agreed to give Bilic a million-pound payoff, representing around half of the balance remaining on his lucrative contract which still had 28 months to run. Just two days later Bilić signed up with his home club Hajduk Split where he briefly played until retiring.

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
01.	8 October, 1996	Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0 − 1	1 − 4	World Cup 1998 Qualifying
02.	6 September, 1997	Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1 − 1	3 − 2	World Cup 1998 Qualifying
03.	29 October, 1997	Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia	Ukraine	1 − 0	2 − 0	World Cup 1998 Qualifying

Managing career

Slaven Bilić, together with Aljoša Asanović, managed the Croatian U-21 team for several years during the qualification rounds for the 2006 U-21 European championship of 2006. Their team went through the group stage but lost in playoff to Serbia and Montenegro.

He was appointed head coach of the main national team on July 25, 2006, succeeding Zlatko Kranjčar. His assistants included Aljoša Asanović, Robert Prosinečki, Nikola Jurčević and Marijan Mrmić. The team's first official game under Bilić was the 0-0 draw in Moscow against Russia. Many criticized this result due to Bilic's suspension of Dario Srna, Ivica Olic and Bosko Balaban who were caught skipping training and therefore temporarily cut from the squad. Further in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, he led Croatia to a very successful campaign, in a group consisting of England, Russia, Israel, Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra. They qualified first in Group E, along with Russia. The campaign recorded some impressive results, including two wins over heavy group favourites England (who eventually came third), 2-0 in Zagreb and 3-2 in London and a 7-0 mauling of Andorra.

Making appearances with his side at many games, he has been seen as one of the most charismatic and laid back coaches of current and past day. He is commonly seen making large celebrations and actions of thought at many games. Whether it be telling England to "Wake Up" (after their second loss to Croatia in qualifying) or jumping into the arms of his assistants at the sight of a goal, Bilic is popular for his cool attitude and amusing approaches and quotes.

Since leading Croatia to such an impressive level, he has once again been reportedly chased by many other clubs around the world. At Euro 2008, his side won all 3 group stage games of the competition, taking maximum points in the group for the first time in their history.

Managerial statistics

Last updated June 16, 2008.

Team	From	To	Record
			G	W	D	L	Win %
Croatia	July 25, 2006	present	23	17	4	2	73.9

Quotes

"You did not score your 2 goals because you had 2 strikers up front, we are simply the better team. Wake Up!" (During his post match interview after Croatia beat England 3-2 at Wembley).

"Only Kaká is better than Modrić."

"With the greatest respect to women, football is the most beautiful thing in the world".

"I dont think it is an advantage to play against Austria first. I would much rather have played against San Marino first, with the greatest respect to them for not qualifying".

"Look at our qualifying record." (When Croatia's future success was doubted).

"You don't defeat Germany with anything else besides hard work." (Post match interview after Croatia 2-1 Germany)

Outside interests

Bilić is fluent in German, Italian and English, and holds a degree in law. He plays lead guitar in the Croatian rock group Rawbau. He usually plays a red Gibson Explorer. In 2008, the band recorded a song as a hymn for Croatia at the Euro 2008 called "Vatreno Ludilo" ("Fiery Madness"). He is divorced and has an 11-year-old son.