Croatia's Slaven Bilic Return Signals Retreat Not Reinvention

Slaven Bilic is set to sign a two-year deal to become Croatia manager for the second time, taking over from Zlatko Dalic after 14 years away from the post. It is Bilic's first job of any kind since he left Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh in August 2024, and it arrives at a moment when Croatia badly need a plan, not a familiar face.

Dalic resigned immediately after Croatia's 2-1 last-16 defeat to Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, closing out a nine-year reign that included a World Cup final and a semi-final. Bilic's own managerial record since leaving Croatia in 2012 has been one of steady decline. Put those two facts side by side and the appointment looks less like ambition and more like the path of least resistance.

The End of the Dalic Era

Zlatko Dalic took charge of Croatia in 2017 and built the most successful period in the nation's football history. He led Luka Modric and company to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, beating England along the way before losing to France in Moscow, then returned four years later to reach the 2022 World Cup semi-final, falling only to eventual champions Argentina.

Beating England and Brazil at World Cups

Dalic's nine-year haul reads as follows:

• World Cup final, 2018 (runners-up)
• World Cup semi-final, 2022
• Wins over England and Brazil at major tournaments
• Three tournament medals with the national team

In his resignation statement, Dalic was emotional about what the role had meant to him.

"I have always said that there is no greater honour than leading your own national team, and that I could not have a more important, more responsible, or more beautiful job than this. I cannot begin to describe how proud I am of every victory, every qualification for a major tournament, the three medals, the great nights of Croatian football, like when we beat England and Brazil at World Cups."

A Decline That Started Before Portugal

The World Cup exit to Portugal was not an isolated setback. Croatia went out at the last 16 of Euro 2020 and failed to escape their group at Euro 2024, meaning the team was already trending downward well before this tournament. Dalic himself acknowledged as much, saying "this is the right moment to bring this remarkable era to a close" rather than fighting on. Whoever replaced him was always going to inherit a squad past its peak. The question is whether Bilic is the man to rebuild it or simply the man who happened to be available. Zlatko Dalic Leaves Croatia as a Champion, Not a Casualty

Bilic's Fall From Grace

Bilic's first spell in charge of Croatia, from 2006 to 2012, was his maiden permanent managerial job and is best described as solid rather than spectacular. He guided the side to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 and a group-stage exit at Euro 2012, and Croatia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup under him at all. That record simply does not compare to what Dalic delivered.

West Ham to Nowhere

What followed at club level has been a gradual erosion of his managerial standing:

• West Ham United: his most respected club spell, but it ended in his dismissal
• West Bromwich Albion: relegated from the Premier League
• Watford: a short, unsuccessful stint
• Al Fateh: an underwhelming spell in Saudi Arabia, departing in August 2024
• Since August 2024: no managerial job at all, until now

That is not the CV of a coach on the rise. It is the CV of someone whose stock has fallen sharply since he last left this same job in 2012, and Croatia are bringing him back anyway.

Nostalgia Over Ambition

Federations facing a vacancy after a painful exit generally choose one of two paths: an ambitious appointment built around a clear footballing identity, or a safe, low-risk figure who won't rock the boat. Croatia have gone with the latter, and the timing makes that choice harder to defend.

A Squad in Transition, Not a Golden Seat

Bilic is not walking into the Modric-inspired golden generation that reached a World Cup final. He is inheriting a team likely to lose Modric from the picture in the near future, one that has already been eliminated early from the last two European Championships, and one that clearly needs fresh ideas rather than a face from two decades ago. A two-year deal for a 57-year-old with no job for nearly two years and a mediocre recent record reads as a stopgap, not a rebuild.

The Question Croatia Haven't Answered

The federation has not explained why Bilic, specifically, is the right man to arrest this decline. Nostalgia for his first spell, and the comfort of a familiar name after Dalic's departure, appears to have driven the decision more than any evidence he can modernise a team that needs modernising. Bettors weighing Croatia's odds for the Nations League and Euro 2028 qualifying should treat this appointment as a signal of uncertainty at board level, not renewed ambition.

What Happens Next

Bilic's two-year contract will be assessed almost entirely against Euro 2028 qualifying, with Nations League fixtures in the interim offering an early gauge of whether he can inject any new identity into an ageing squad. Given his previous spell yielded a missed World Cup and two modest tournament showings, the bar for judging this appointment a success should be set realistically low, and even then it is not guaranteed to be cleared.

The bigger story is what this appointment says about Croatian football's direction. Replacing a coach who reached a World Cup final and semi-final with someone who has been out of work for two years and whose recent managerial history is a story of relegation and short exits suggests a federation without a clear plan for what comes after its golden generation. Whether Bilic can prove that verdict wrong will define his second spell far more than any sentimental homecoming narrative. Those interested in the fallout from Croatia's exit can also read Portugal Face Croatia With Ronaldo and Modric's World Cup Legacies on the Line, part of our ongoing coverage in the dugout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Slaven Bilic the new Croatia manager?

Yes, Slaven Bilic has agreed a two-year deal to become Croatia manager for a second time, replacing Zlatko Dalic. It marks his first managerial job since leaving Saudi club Al Fateh in August 2024.

Why did Zlatko Dalic leave Croatia?

Dalic resigned immediately after Croatia's 2-1 last-16 defeat to Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, ending a nine-year reign. He said in his resignation statement that it was the hardest decision he had ever made, despite still feeling ambition to continue.

What did Zlatko Dalic achieve as Croatia manager?

Dalic led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, beating England en route before losing to France, and reached the World Cup semi-final again in 2022, losing to eventual champions Argentina. His nine-year spell is regarded as the most successful in Croatian football history.

What was Slaven Bilic's record in his first spell as Croatia manager?

Between 2006 and 2012, Bilic guided Croatia to the Euro 2008 quarter-finals and a group-stage exit at Euro 2012, while failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. It was a solid but unremarkable record compared with Dalic's later achievements.

What has Slaven Bilic done since leaving West Ham?

After West Ham, Bilic was relegated with West Bromwich Albion, had a short unsuccessful spell at Watford, then took charge of Saudi side Al Fateh before leaving in August 2024. He had been out of management entirely for nearly two years before agreeing to return to Croatia.

How did Croatia perform at the 2026 World Cup?

Croatia were eliminated in the round of 32, losing 2-1 to Portugal in what was described as a pulsating contest. The defeat prompted Zlatko Dalic's immediate resignation after nine years in charge.

Is Luka Modric still part of Croatia's squad?

Modric remains a central figure but his long-term international future is uncertain given his age, meaning Bilic is inheriting a squad in transition rather than the golden generation that reached the 2018 final. Rebuilding without Modric will be a key challenge of his second spell.

What are Croatia's prospects under Bilic going forward?

Bilic's two-year deal will largely be judged on Nations League form and Euro 2028 qualifying. Given his uneven managerial record since 2012 and a squad already trending downward through Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, expectations should be tempered rather than ambitious.