(foto: Getty Images)
Slaven Bilić is the leading candidate to replace Zlatko Dalić as Croatia manager, although his potential return has sparked fierce debate across the country.
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Croatia appears close to appointing Slaven Bilić as the successor to Zlatko Dalić, bringing back one of the country's most recognizable football figures following the end of a historic era.
Dalić stepped down after nine remarkable years in charge, leaving behind a legacy unmatched in Croatian football. Under his leadership, Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final, won the bronze medal in 2022, and established itself among the world's elite national teams.
Replacing the most successful coach in the nation's history was always expected to be one of the biggest decisions the Croatian Football Federation has faced in recent decades.
According to multiple reports in Croatia, Bilić has emerged as the clear favourite to take over. The 55-year-old previously managed the national team between 2006 and 2012 and remains one of the country's most popular football personalities.
However, his expected return has split public opinion.
Supporters believe Bilić understands the unique pressures of leading Croatia and would immediately command the respect of the dressing room. Many also remember his first spell fondly, when Croatia played attractive football and reached the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2008.
Critics, however, argue that sentiment should not influence such an important appointment.
Over the last decade, Bilić's club career has taken him across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, managing Lokomotiv Moscow, Beşiktaş, West Ham United, Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al-Fateh. While there have been occasional highlights, many observers point to the lack of sustained success during that period.
Croatian outlet Index.hr delivered one of the strongest criticisms of the possible appointment.
"The main argument for Bilić goes like this: he has already managed Croatia, he understands the pressure, and the players would welcome him with open arms."
Translated, we are appointing someone simply because we like him and because we remember 2007 with affection. That is not a recruitment strategy. That is a high school reunion."
The publication also dismissed comparisons between Bilić's and Dalić's records.
"The second argument is that Bilić had a higher winning percentage than Dalić."
That is true. But he also faced weaker qualifying opponents and never coached Croatia in a World Cup knockout match because he never qualified for one. A winning percentage without a trophy is simply a good-looking résumé without a completed job."
Despite the criticism, other Croatian media outlets report that Bilić's appointment is close to being finalised and that the federation believes his experience, personality and connection with the national team make him the ideal candidate to begin a new chapter.
Whether his return proves to be an inspired decision or an appointment driven by nostalgia will become one of the biggest stories in Croatian football once the federation makes its choice official.