ShareTwenty years on from his first spell as Croatia head coach, Slaven Bilic has returned to the role following their World Cup exit.Slaven Bilic has been reappointed as Croatia's head coach following their World Cup exit.Zlatko Dalic stepped down from the role after their dramatic round-of-32 defeat to Portugal at this summer's tournament, with Bilic now returning to the helm.Bilic previously managed Croatia from 2006 to 2012, winning 42 of his 65 games in charge (D15 L8) and leading them at Euro 2008 and 2012.Croatia reached the quarter-final at Euro 2008 after winning all of their group games, but lost to Turkiye in the last eight, while they were knocked out in the group stages four years later; they were in a group with eventual winners Spain, runners-up Italy and the Republic of Ireland."I have the complete confidence in our players, and it is my responsibility to bring energy, ambition and determination to ensure that Croatia remains among football's elite," said Bilic."I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful."Bilic's first game in charge comes in September against Czechia in the Nations League, while he will face England in his first home game.The former West Ham boss famously defeated England twice in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which saw the Three Lions fail to qualify for the tournament.His most recent coaching job came with Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League in 2023-24, while he has also managed the likes of Watford and Besiktas.