Expats

Croatia coach Bilic has hip surgery [Jan 09, 2012] Doctors say Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has undergone successful hip surgery. The 43-year old former defender was operated on Monday to repair damaged cartilage that doctors say is a legacy of his 14-year playing career, which included stints at West Ham United and Everton. Bilic has been Croatia national team coach since 2006 and is expected to lead the team at the European Championship this... [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia coach Bilic has hip surgery [Jan 09, 2012] ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) ? Doctors say Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has undergone successful hip surgery. The 43-year old former defender was operated on Monday to repair damaged cartilage that doctors say is a legacy of his 14-year playing career, which included stints at West Ham United and Everton. [via YahooNews] More >>

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni admits he 'wanted to avoid' Italy after also landing Spain and Croatia at ... [Dec 03, 2011] The Italian manager says his side can progress if his side show enough belief, while rival boss Slaven Bilic wants Croatia to approach the tournament with optimism [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia v Turkey preview [Nov 14, 2011] Slaven Bilic has warned his Croatia players they cannot afford to relax against Turkey in their Euro 2012 play-off second leg on Tuesday night. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia holds lead ahead of decider with Turkey [Nov 14, 2011] Holding a 3-0 lead going into the second leg of their European Championship playoff against Turkey, the biggest threat for Croatia may be a mental letdown at home on Tuesday. Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric says "we have only done half our job, we can't relax even a little bit, it could be very dangerous." Coach Slaven Bilic adds that "we all know how unpredictable football can... [via YahooNews] More >>

PREVIEW-Soccer-Bilic asks Croatia to put Euro 2012 party on hold [Nov 14, 2011] Any premature celebrations over a 3-0 win in Turkey in the first leg of their Euro 2012 playoff could be fatal for Croatia and invite history to repeat itself, coach Slaven Bilic said ahead of Tuesday's return game. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia on revenge mission [Nov 11, 2011] THE last meeting between the sides has been playing on the mind of the Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic. That was in the quarter-final of Euro 2008. Turkey, having gone behind to Ivan Klasnic?s header in the final minute of extra-time, levelled through Semih Senturk in injury-time, a goal that seemed to shatter Croatia. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia name squad for Turkey play-off [Nov 02, 2011] Slaven Bilic has named his squad for their UEFA EURO 2012 play-off against Turkey in nine days time, with the coach saying he believes he has a squad of players with the experience to progress. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia drop Klasnic for Euro 2012 playoff [Nov 02, 2011] Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has left striker Ivan Klasnic out of his 24-man squad for the two-legged Euro 2012 playoff against Turkey on Nov. 11 and 15. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic: We are better than Turkey [Oct 14, 2011] Croatia boss Slaven Bilic has hailed his side's chances against Turkey in the upcoming Euro 2012 play-offs. The two teams will lock horns in a two-legged tie, which will be a re-match of their Euro 2008 quarter-final clash, which Turkey won in penalty shoot-out. [via YahooNews] More >>

Bilic takes blame as Croatia settle for playoffs [Oct 11, 2011] Croatia coach Slaven Bilic on Tuesday said he was to blame for his side's failure to obtain direct qualification for the Euro 2012 finals as they finished second in group F behind Greece. [via YahooNews] More >>

Bundesliga - Croatia drop unruly Pranjic [Aug 12, 2011] Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has said he will drop Bayern Munich winger Danijel Pranjic over ill discipline. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia coach: Pranjic won't play for me again (AP) [Aug 12, 2011] Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says defender Danijel Pranjic won't play for the national team again under him after refusing to shake his hand following the friendly against Ireland in Dublin. The 29-year-old Pranjic has played 39 matches for Croatia since 2004. Lately, he has mostly started from the bench, as he did in Wednesday's 0-0 draw. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia coach: Pranjic won't play for me again [Aug 12, 2011] Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says defender Danijel Pranjic won't play for the national team again under him after refusing to shake his hand following the friendly against Ireland in Dublin. The 29-year-old Pranjic has played 39 matches for Croatia since 2004. Lately, he has mostly started from the bench, as he did in Wednesday's 0-0 draw. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia boss hails Modric focus [Aug 12, 2011] Slaven Bilic believes Luka Modric is coping well with the uncertainty surrounding his future after performing well for Croatia in midweek. Chelsea have been trying to sign Modric from Tottenham this summer and the midfielder has set his heart on a switch to Stamford Bridge. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia boss Bilic tips Jelavic to lead Rangers to title [Apr 08, 2011] Celtic Rangers West Ham United Everton Scottish Premier Croatia national team manager Slaven Bilic believes striker Nikica Jelavic is the man to lead Rangers to the Scottish Premier League title this season. The former West Ham United and Everton man says the recent form of the 25-year old Vatreni forward gives the Glasgow giants a great chance of reeling in Old Firm rivals Celtic and taking ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia boss Bilic tips Jelavic to lead Rangers to title [Apr 08, 2011] Celtic Rangers West Ham United Everton Scottish Premier Croatia national team manager Slaven Bilic believes striker Nikica Jelavic is the man to lead Rangers to the Scottish Premier League title this season. The former West Ham United and Everton man says the recent form of the 25-year old Vatreni forward gives the Glasgow giants a great chance of reeling in Old Firm rivals Celtic and taking ... [via YahooNews] More >>

CROATIA CONFIDENT FOR GEORGIA TRIP [Mar 24, 2011] Slaven Bilic - in confident mood. Group F leaders Croatia travel to Tbilisi on Saturday to play Georgia, knowing three points are necessary to guarantee their lead at the top of the group. [via YahooNews] More >>

Croatia confident, Greece poised [Mar 24, 2011] Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has bullish in his assertion that his side can be victorious away at Georgia, but should they slip-up Greece can overtake them at the top of Group F with a win in Malta. [via YahooNews] More >>