Croatia appoint Bilic

July 25, 2006

Slaven Bilic has been named as the new coach of Croatia.

Bilic, a former international defender and Croatian under-21 coach, will take charge of the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008. His first competitive game in charge of the side is against Russia on September 6,

His predecessor Zlatko Kranjcar was sacked earlier this month after Croatia's disappointing early exit from the World Cup in Germany.

After leaving Hajduk Split, Bilic played for Karlsruhe in Germany and West Ham and Everton in England before injuries curtailed his career.