Slaven Bilić
Croatian defender turned manager who led his national team to Euro 2008 quarter-finals.
Slaven Bilić (pronounced [slǎʋen bǐːlitɕ]; born 11 September 1968) is a Croatian professional football manager and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Croatian national team. His career as a footballer was primarily with Hajduk Split during the 1980s and 1990s where he played as a defender. He played in the Premier League with both West Ham United and Everton during the late 1990s. He represented the Croatia national football team from 1992 to 1999, helping Croatia secure its first World Cup medal, finishing third with bronze in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Manager
- Nationality
- Croatian
- Playing position
- Midfielder
- Premier league club
- West Ham United
- Premier league tenure
- 2015–2018
- Playing clubs (selected)
- Hajduk Split, Tottenham Hotspur
- National team
- Croatia
Lore & Background
Following his retirement from football in 2001, he embarked on his management career by returning to Hajduk Split until 2002. He was called up to coach Croatia's under-21 team for two years before taking over the senior team from 2006 to 2012. He led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2008 UEFA European Championship and left after the next edition four years later. His tenure was noted for the successful integration of emerging second 'Golden Generation' players into the senior team. He went on to manage eight clubs across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East – notably West Ham United – during the 2010s and 2020s.
Reader's Guide
Bilić played as a defender, not a midfielder. He played for West Ham United and Everton in the Premier League, not Tottenham Hotspur. He did not serve as an assistant under Sam Allardyce, nor did he manage Tottenham Hotspur or West Bromwich Albion.
Did You Know?
- Bilić graduated from the law faculty in Split, where his father was dean.
- He scored two goals in the Premier League for West Ham United, against Liverpool and Sunderland.
- He admitted to overacting in the incident that led to Laurent Blanc's red card in the 1998 World Cup semi-final.
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