Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has said his will not quit the national side for a more lucrative Premier League job despite renewed speculation after a weekend visit to London.

"If I was after the money, I would have accepted the first offers that came my way from (Fulham owner) Mohamed Al Fayed and others," he said.

"If I have to explain my position every time I cross the border, no problem. I've been to London privately a few times before."

Bilic said he had travelled to London to meet with Croatia internationals Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth) and Vedran Corluka (Manchester City) ahead of their friendly with the Netherlands in Split on February 6.

He said the Croatian media had taken "completely out of context" his statements to media in England during the visit regarding his contract with the Croatian FA.

"British media praised my position as patriotic after I told them money isn't everything and that I took up the Croatia job for a different reason.

"I do believe I am underpaid but that's not an issue at the moment and I knew exactly how much I would be paid when I took the job. It's also not true that I have turned down an improved offer from the Croatian FA."

"I've had a terrific relationship with the FA all this time and I won't let anything spoil it. This speculation doesn't bother me at all but it could affect the team spirit."

Croatia reached Euro 2008 after an excellent qualifying run capped by a 3-2 win over England in their final match at Wembley that knocked England out of the finals and cost manager Steve McClaren his job.

Bilic has been linked with several Premier League teams since the upset victory and he has repeatedly declined to reveal his plans after the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Croatia, who are in Group B with Germany, Poland and Austria, have been tipped by many fans and experts as the tournament's potential dark horses.

Reuters