Slaven Bilić

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.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights at the London Stadium hummed to life on a cold February evening. Bilić stood at the edge of the technical area, hands on his hips, his breath visible in the air. The ball was in the opposition's half, and he was already leaning forward, arms chopping the air, mouth open in a command no one on the bench could quite hear over the roar of the crowd. His assistant, Marko Simunić, placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. Bilić didn't turn. His eyes were locked on the centre-back, tracking the pass, predicting the next touch. When the winger broke through and the ball arced into the top corner, Bilić's arms shot skyward, his whole body lifting off the ground for a fraction of a second. The away end went quiet. The home end detonated. He turned to Simunić, still breathing hard, and said something in Croatian that the assistant translated, with a grin, as 'That's what I've been telling them all week.' The dugout erupted. The manager was already back at the edge of the box, eyes forward, hunting the next chance.

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. His Premier League managerial tenure at West Ham United began in 2015, but the source does not specify the exact end date. 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.
• At the 1998 World Cup, Bilić played in all seven matches as Croatia finished third.
• He admitted to overacting in the incident that led to Laurent Blanc's red card in the 1998 World Cup semi-final.