Slaven Bilić has succeeded Zlatko Dalić as head coach, promising energy and determination. While the former coach negotiates with Asian national teams, Vladimir Petković has also emerged as a contender for the same position.
Nearly 14 years to the day after he left the Croatian national team bench, Slaven Bilić has once again become its head coach. According to information from ZG Portal, the 57-year-old tactician was officially appointed on Monday, August 4, 2026, taking over from Zlatko Dalić, whose era ended with elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Dalić's departure came after the Vatreni lost 2:1 to Portugal in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. The team finished second in Group L, one point behind England, but the Round of 16 defeat marked the end of one of the most successful coaching eras in Croatian football.
The new head coach immediately sent a strong message via the Croatian Football Federation's X profile. "I have full confidence in our players, and my responsibility is to bring energy, ambition, and determination to keep Croatia among the elite," Bilić said.
In a more detailed statement carried by ZG Portal, he reflected on his own experience: "I am genuinely happy to take on this challenge and I feel completely ready. As a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, but with the same motivation and desire for Croatia to remain powerful, bold, and successful."
Bilić first took the helm in 2006 and led the national team until 2012. During that period, he recorded notable results, including a 3:1 victory over Ireland at Euro 2012 in Poznań. As a player, he made 44 appearances for Croatia and scored three goals, was part of the generation at Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup, and also played twice against Ireland, including a Euro 2000 qualifier in Zagreb when Davor Šuker scored a late winner.
As Bilić prepares for his new term, his predecessor Zlatko Dalić is close to a new engagement. As reported by 24sata Sport, the former coach revealed that he plans to take over a national team, with the most realistic option being in Asia. "First of all, I would like to emphasize that club work is out of the question. I intend to take over a national team. As things stand now, the most realistic option is 'down' in Asia. I would, however, keep the country a secret for now," Dalić said in an interview with journalist Ivo Mikuličin from Slobodna Dalmacija.
However, the situation has become complicated. According to Gradimir Đukarić from Sportske novosti, another Croatian coach, Vladimir Petković, has emerged as a contender for the same position-taking over the Saudi Arabian national team. After stepping down as Algeria's coach following the 2026 World Cup, Petković is reportedly one of the main candidates for the role, which could close the door on Dalić. Despite this, 24sata Sport reports that Dalić has other options, including the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.
Dalić achieved historic results with the Croatian national team: in 111 matches, he recorded 62 wins and won three medals-silver at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, bronze in Qatar 2022, and second place in the Nations League.
Meanwhile, the Croatian Football Federation also posted information on its X profile about GNK Dinamo's European qualifiers. If the Croatian champions get past Žalgiris from Kaunas, their final hurdle on the road to the Champions League will be Norwegian side Viking. In case of elimination by the Lithuanian club, Dinamo will face the winner of the tie between Hradec Králové and Beşiktaş in the Europa League play-off round.
