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Slaven Bilic has been appointed as the new head coach of the Croatia national team, as per Sky Sports.
The former West Ham United manager takes charge after Zlatko Dalic stepped down following Croatia's round-of-32 exit at the FIFA World Cup against Portugal. Bilic, who has also managed West Bromwich Albion and Watford, returns to international management after a two-year hiatus. His most recent coaching stint was with Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh, where he parted ways in August 2024. During Dalic's nine-year tenure, Croatia enjoyed immense success, finishing as runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and securing third place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, at the 2026 edition, the team fell short of a podium finish, exiting the tournament without a medal. At the 2026 World Cup, Croatia faced a 4-2 defeat in their campaign opener against England but then defeated Panama 1-0 and Ghana 2-1 before bowing out with a 2-1 Round of 32 loss to Portugal. In a post on X, the Croatian Football Federation thanked Dalic for his nine-year tenure, praising his successful leadership, achievements, medals, unity-building, and dedication to the national team both on and off the pitch. The federation highlighted the respect he earned from players, staff, and opponents. "A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell. Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalic has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia. Head coach, thank you for everything - the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect, and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch. The results speak of your coaching virtues. The respect you've earned from your players, staff, and opponents speaks volumes about the person you are," the Croatian Football Federation said. (ANI)
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