Slaven Bilić

Infobox Football biography
playername = Slaven Bilić


fullname = Slaven Bilić
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1968|9|11|df=y
cityofbirth = Split
countryofbirth = SFR Yugoslavia ("now Croatia")
height = height|m=1.89
nickname = Nane
position = Defender
currentclub =
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1987−1993
1993−1996
1996−1997
1997−2000
2000−2001
clubs = Hajduk Split
Karlsruher SC
West Ham United
Everton
Hajduk Split
caps(goals) = 109 (13)
066 0(5)
048 0(2)
030 0(0)
009 0(0)
nationalyears = 1990−1999
nationalteam = Croatia
nationalcaps(goals) = 044 0(3)
manageryears = 2000-2001
2004-2006
2006−
managerclubs= Hajduk Split
Croatia U-21
Croatia

Slaven Bilić [IPA|ˈslaʋɛn ˈbiːlitɕ] (born 11 September 1968 in Split, Croatia) is a former Croatian footballer and current head coach of the Croatian national team. His playing tenure predominantly comprised of extended vocations in his hometown with Hajduk Split and a combination of foreign spells in Germany and England. At national level, Bilić served as one of Croatia's most consistent defenders, primarily focused around his presence in the 1998 World Cup foray.

On 30 April 2008, Bilić agreed to extend his contract for a further two years. The new deal is worth 1.2 million kuna ($340,000) a year and will take the former Croatia defender up to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. [cite web | url = http://fourfourtwo.com/news/restofeurope/8267/default.aspx | publisher = FourFourTwo | title = Croatia coach Bilic agrees new two year contract | accessdate = 2008-04-30] The National Team coach rankings has long recognised Bilić as the second best national team manager in the world, behind Dunga of Brazil. [ [http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/and-the-best-coach-in-the-world-is.html And the Best Coach in the World is… - World Cup Blog - Euro 2008 ] ] Being the youngest manager Croatia has ever had, he also became the youngest manager to lead their side to the knockout stages of a major competition. He did this at UEFA Euro 2008.

Playing career

Bilić began his career at his hometown club, Hajduk Split. At nineteen years of age he spent six seasons there as a professional before moving to the Bundesliga in a £750,000 deal in 1993. After impressing for German side Karlsruher SC including a UEFA Cup semi-final appearance he was bought by English Premiership side West Ham United's manager Harry Redknapp for a fee of £1.3 m, [cite web | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=8828 | publisher = soccerbase.com | title = The Internet Soccer Database | accessdate = 2007-02-18] in January 1996.

His form for the Hammers saw him selected for the Croatian national team for the Euro 96 held in England. He shone on the international stage as Croatia made their way to the quarterfinals of the tournament where they were beaten by eventual winners Germany.

His displays in the tournament led to Joe Royle brokering a £4.5M move to Everton in March 1997, but Bilić claimed he had a debt of loyalty to West Ham that saw him stay with the club until the end of the season to ensure they were not relegated. He turned out for Everton in August 1997, after assuring himself of new manager Howard Kendall's full support, he initially brought some class to Toffee's backline but his season was marred by bookings that saw him miss several games through suspension.

It looked like his Everton career was over but he went into the 1998 World Cup with Croatia and the team were the surprise package of the tournament, reaching the semi-finals where they were beaten by hosts France. Croatia finished in third place after winning the playoff game.

Bilić was involved in controversy during the tournament for the role he played in the dismissal of Laurent Blanc in the semi-final with France. With Croatia behind, a freekick was awarded which saw Slaven marking the French defender. Bilić held Blanc and to free himself, Blanc pushed Bilić, making contact with his chin and chest. Bilić fell to the ground clutching his forehead. Bilić later admitted that he was acting, and went down only after encouragement from teammate Igor Stimac. Blanc was sent off and missed the World Cup final through suspension. Bilić apologized to Blanc after the game.cite news | first= Jonathan | last=Wilson| title=The moment Bilic took carte Blanc to enter World Cup infamy| date=2006-10-11 | publisher=Independent News & Media | url =http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/croatian-rocker-who-wants-to-roll-over-rooney-419478.html| work =The Independent| accessdate = 2008-07-02]

After his exertions in the World Cup, Bilić revealed a nagging groin strain that required rest and treatment, which he took back home in Croatia. After missing the first quarter of the season, Bilić was left wondering if he would get back into the Everton side managed by Walter Smith. He did so and showed some good form but could never fully establish himself due to injuries and suspensions.

Everton decided cut their losses on Bilić in July 1999, leaving him free to choose a new club but unwanted in England he continued to play only for Croatia on a £27,000-a-week contract with Everton while living in Zagreb. The club eventually agreed to give Bilic a million-pound payoff, representing around half of the balance remaining on his lucrative contract which still had 28 months to run. Just two days later Bilić signed up with his home club Hajduk Split where he briefly played until retiring.

International goals

Managing career

Early days

Slaven Bilić, together with Aljoša Asanović, managed the Croatian U-21 team for several years during the qualification rounds for the U-21 European championship of 2006. Their team went through the group stage but lost in playoff to Serbia and Montenegro.

As a shareholder in his hometown club, Hajduk Split, he temporarily agreed to manage them for 5 games until the club found a replacement manager. Having admitted that the adrenaline inspired him, he reportedly received guidance after traveling Europe and visiting Arsene Wenger and Marcello Lippi [http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/01/croatiafootballteam.euro2008groupb Fire in Bilic burns bright | Football | The Observer ] ]

Croatia

He was appointed head coach of the main national team on 25 July 2006, succeeding Zlatko Kranjčar after the unsuccessful 2006 World Cup. His assistants included former teammates Aljoša Asanović, Robert Prosinečki, Nikola Jurčević and Marijan Mrmić. One of his first actions in charge of the squad, Slaven Bilić promoted 3 players from the U21 squad who were Eduardo da Silva, Luka Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka, who would all eventually enjoy impressive success and make transfers to the English Premier League. The team's first official game under Bilić was the 2-0 friendly win in Livorno against Italy, while Bilić's first competitive game was the 0-0 draw in Moscow against Russia in the opener for their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. Many criticized this result due to Bilić's suspension of Dario Srna, Ivica Olić and Boško Balaban who were caught skipping training and therefore temporarily cut from the squad.

Further in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, he led Croatia to a very successful campaign, in a group consisting of England, Russia, Israel, Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra. Bilić managed to lead Croatia to a first place finish in Group E, most notably masterminding home and away victories against England, who consequently didn't qualify and sacked their then manager Steve McClaren. It became England's first ever loss at the new Wembley Stadium. After the match, Bilić largely criticized England's perspective and consideration of the sport, stating they have not shown progress of expanding for their future by raising their younger youth players, and that they simply did not show the determination to win. Croatia also managed to equal their highest ever win record as they beat Andorra 7-0.

goal [ [http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/18/stories/2008061856252100.htm The Hindu : Sport / Football : Klasnic caps a remarkable comeback ] ] .

Croatia soon became labeled as favorites for the tournament, but they would soon suffer an exit in the quarter finals against Turkey. Though he admitted that the defeat would haunt him and his squad for the rest of their lives [ [http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/this-will-haunt-us-for-the-rest-of-our-lives-weeps-devastated-lionheart-bilic-1417789.html 'This will haunt us for the rest of our lives,' weeps devastated lionheart Bilic - Soccer, Sport - Independent.ie ] ] , and having revealed thoughts of possible resignation, he eventually pledged to stay on with Croatia and stated that they would return bigger and stronger after the alarming defeat. [ [http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=746244 Goal.com - Euro 2008 - I Wanted To Quit - Bilic ] ]

Croatia started their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as favourites to top Group 6 after a promising show at Euro 2008. Their group contained England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.

Managerial statistics

"Last updated 11 September 2008".

Personality and Management style

Making notable appearances with his side at many games, Bilić has been labeled as one of the most charismatic and laid back coaches of time. He is commonly known to make notable celebrations and informing signals to his players during matches. Whatever has happened, Bilić has been seen to always remain popular for his cool attitude and amusing approaches and reactions.

He first gained popularity shortly after being announced as coach, more so because of his energetic personality and humorous interviews which he has had, often stating flaws of his opponents. His earring and tattoos have lead him to become a large public figure admired by the media. Shortly after his side's double victories against England, he memorably ran along the touchline in excitement and huddled into a massive group with his assistants and benched players. He repeated this at Euro 2008 during Croatia's success, and grew even more public after he confronted the referee in rage for not allowing him to make a substitution which eventually lead to his sides quarter final fall. During the tournaments game against Germany, he could barely contain himself from energetic excitement and was even forced back to his seat by security officials.

Thought to be a common practising Catholic, he has been seen many times proclaiming his love for his religion, thanking it for his success. He is known to often carry a medallion of Pope John Paul II, which he accidentally dropped during a celebration and re-showed respect for by kissing it 3 times before pocketing it again.

His impressive success has been revealed as the result of extremely hard work. He revealed in a post tournament interview that he and his players compiled and studied many games of their opponents to become very well prepared for tough matches. [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/slaven-bilic-encouraging-my-players-is-my-way-of-doing-things-846997.html Slaven Bilic: Encouraging my players is my way of doing things - News & Comment, Football - The Independent ] ]

Known to be a big fan of music, Bilić relates his teams motivation to such, often encouraging them to listen to inspiring music before and after games. He went on to state "I cannot do my job without music, I need it to relax" [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/coach-bilic-rocks-croatian-team-with-pastime-revelation/2008/03/22/1205602723807.html Coach Bilic rocks Croatian team with pastime revelation - Football - Sport ] ] In addition, Bilić maintains a strong relationship with all his players, often celebrating with them after games and keeping a casual friendship with all of them. He was left to become a "father figure" after his side's haunting knockout in the quarter finals of Euro 2008, trying desperately to console his upset players.

Quotes

* "Wake up! You did not score your 2 goals because you had 2 strikers up front, we were simply the better team. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/08/sfncro108.xml Croatian Euro 2008 success could spark Premier League chase for Slaven Bilic - Telegraph ] ] " (During his post match interview after Croatia beat England 3-2 at Wembley).
* "Only Kaká is better than Modrić. [ [http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=97130 tribalfootball.com - Bilic: Only Kaka better than Tottenham's Modric ] ] "
* "With the greatest respect to women, football is the most beautiful thing in the world. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/16/sfncro116.xml] "
* "I don't think it is an advantage to play against Austria first. I would much rather have played against San Marino first, with the greatest respect to them for not qualifying. [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/07/slaven-bilic-croatia-are-winners-go-ask-england-89520-20598392/ Slaven Bilic: Croatia are winners . . go ask England - mirror.co.uk ] ] "
* "Look at our qualifying record." (When Croatia's future success was doubted)Fact|date=July 2008.
* "You don't defeat Germany with anything else besides hard work." (Post match interview after Croatia 2-1 Germany)Fact|date=July 2008

Personal life

Along with his native Croatian, Bilić is fluent in German, Italian and English, while he also holds a degree in law. [

[http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/teams/team=56370/profile=1/index.html UEFA EURO 2008 - Slaven Bilic Profile] ] As big fan of rock music, he plays rhythm guitar with his favored red Gibson Explorer in his own Croatian rock group Rawbau. [cite web | url = http://slaven-bilic.imeem.com/ | title = Slaven Bilic & Rawbau | accessdate = 2008-05-20 | work = www.imeem.com] In 2008, the band recorded a song for Croatia's performance at Euro 2008 called "Vatreno Ludilo" ("Fiery Madness"), which soon became a #1 hit.

References

External links