International Football - Bilic to stay as Croatia coach

Eurosport - Fri, 23 Oct 20:48:00 2009

Slaven Bilic will stay on as Croatia coach for their Euro 2012 campaign despite failing to take them to next year's World Cup.

Croatia manager Slaven Bilic - 0

Bilic had initially planned to step down after the World Cup campaign when his contract expired but reconsidered his decision because of the support he received from players, the football federation and pundits.

He will sign a new contract next week.

"We're happy with this development," FA president Vlatko Markovic said after the executive committee approved his proposal that Bilic continue in the post.

Bilic took over after the 2006 World Cup and led Croatia to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

Plagued by injuries and poor form of key players, Croatia finished third behind England and Ukraine in their World Cup qualifying group and will miss next year's finals in South Africa.

"There will be few changes in the squad and we're looking forward to the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012," Bilic said.

Details of the contract were not revealed but the FA said it would be unchanged.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 5 of 5

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  1. hahahaahahahahahaha

    croatia are losers

    COME ON­ ENGLAND

    From haidar.javed, on Mon 26 Oct 11:44AM

  2. Come back to us Hammers Slaven put some of your passion­ back into the team !

    From Paul, on Sat 24 Oct 11:13AM

  3. Would you like to make friends with people from other­ country or place?
    Log on--------- T ALL Cha t ---C o m­ ----
    Then you can get help and suggestions from all­ over the world.
    While you may find your true love or­ friendship there.

    From kojanet26, on Sat 24 Oct 2:06AM

  4. fantastic news for Bilic. After success in the Euro­ 2008 qualifiers, his managerial stock couldn't have­ been higher. But now, after a dismal WC qualifying­ campaign, leading a top ranked team to a 3rd place­ finish, no sensible club will feel safe appointing him­ manager. This isn't to say that he isn't or­ couldn't be a good manager, it's just that he­ needs another chance and staying on as Croatia boss is­ a very, very good idea.

    From Simon, on Sat 24 Oct 12:44AM

  5. Bilic is the right coach for the job. So extravagant,­ and yet you can see from the passion in him, that he­ might just jump on to the pitch and join the action -­ much like Stuart Pearce was. It's good for the­ game.

    From Victor, on Sat 24 Oct 12:14AM
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