Bilic's Bold Return: Croatia's New Era Begins Against England

Slaven Bilic is back in the spotlight, and he’s ready to make waves as he steps in to lead Croatia against England in the Nations League. This marks his return to a role he previously held with great distinction, taking over from the legendary Zlatko Dalic. Sitting in a Canary Wharf hotel lobby, Bilic, clad in a black Soundgarden T-shirt and denim, exuded confidence as he discussed everything from Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography to the nuances of Yugoslav cinema. His previous tenure as Croatia's manager seemed like a distant memory, yet it lingered with a bittersweet nostalgia. "I have fond memories, but I don't want to tarnish them," he remarked. "It’s not about fearing failure; it’s about recognizing when a chapter has closed." Fast forward nine years, and here he is, back at the helm, gearing up for a significant test against England in Rijeka. His journey has taken him through the Saudi Pro League, the Chinese Super League, and stints at West Brom and Watford, with a long hiatus from coaching that ended in August 2024. Bilic's appearance has matured, and his style nods to some of football's greats—think Klopp’s and Guardiola’s salt-and-pepper beards, Bielsa’s signature glasses, and Simeone’s all-black attire. Yet, his essence remains unchanged: direct, passionate, and charismatic, a refreshing contrast to the understated nature of Dalic. When Bilic made his first public appearance since returning, it felt like a breath of fresh air had swept through the room. The 58-year-old still knows how to engage an audience and command attention. Taking over from Dalic, who led Croatia to a historic second and third place in World Cups, is no small feat. But Bilic is the ideal choice, not just because of his familiarity with the team but also due to his pivotal role in laying the groundwork for their past successes. He’s credited with igniting Croatia's ambitions, paving the way for players like Luka Modric and Dalic’s squad, and it was under his watch that Croatia first tasted real confidence, exemplified by their 3-2 victory over England at Wembley in 2007. Bilic's rapport with Modric is undeniable, and it's likely he played a crucial role in convincing the 41-year-old to continue playing for the national team. In fact, Modric scored the opening goal of Bilic's second era in a 2-1 win over Czechia, and their embrace said it all. "Luka is everything to us; he’s simply incredible," Bilic exclaimed. Now, Bilic must prove himself once again. He's not the same manager he was a decade ago, and it remains to be seen how his experience will translate into results. After just two matches—a promising win followed by a heavy defeat to Spain—Bilic's strategy is starting to take shape. Under Dalic, Croatia thrived as underdogs, expertly executing counter-attacks despite their lack of speed. Bilic, however, has a different vision. He aims for dominance, pressing high, taking risks, and encouraging players to swarm the opposition area. He wants defenders to step forward with the ball rather than rely on midfielders like Modric or Kovacic to drop deep for possession. The challenge lies in whether he can instill this bravery in a squad still featuring many veterans like Modric and Ivan Perisic. But Bilic is optimistic. He’s always been a believer—in 2012, he thought Croatia could win the Euros, even if they fell short. Now, he’s confident he can match Dalic’s incredible achievements. Perhaps he didn’t believe in comebacks nine years ago, but his faith in his vision for the future remains unshakeable.