Former Lokomotiv coach Bilic to lead Croatia national football team

Slaven Bilic, the former head coach of Lokomotiv Moscow, has been appointed head coach of the Croatian national football team. This was announced on July 13 on the website of the Croatian Football Union (HNS).

"At the suggestion of President Marian Kustic, the executive Committee of the Croatian Football Union has unanimously voted to appoint Slaven Bilic as the new head coach of the Croatian national adult team," the publication says.

It is specified that this is Bilic's second appointment as head coach of the Croatian national team. He previously led the Croatian national team from 2006 to 2012. The President of the Croatian Football Union expressed confidence that Bilic's experience and the support of the players and fans will help the team achieve new successes.

The specialist himself thanked the federation's leadership for their trust, noting that he considers working with the Croatian national team to be the "greatest honor" for any Croatian coach. According to him, he is returning to the national team as a more experienced mentor, but with the same desire to keep Croatia among the strongest football teams in the world.

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The Marca newspaper reported on July 12 that former Uruguay striker, the best player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Diego Forlan, led the national team. The contract with Forlan runs until March 2027. In addition, the coach will lead the Uruguay national under-20 team.