Bilić: "Three foundations for success: the stability of the Croatian Football Federation, the quality of the squad, and our achievements to date"

At the outset, he thanked the leadership of the Croatian Football Federation, headed by President Marijan Kustić, for placing their trust in him.

"First of all, I would like to thank the Croatian Football Federation, led by President Marijan Kustić, for the trust they have shown in me and for giving me the opportunity to become the head coach of the Croatian national team once again. I have been here as a player, as a coach, as the U-21 national team coach, and then as the senior national team coach for six years. I know very well what is expected of me. I am extremely happy to have been given the chance to return as Croatia's head coach."

On his first steps...

"My first task is to complete my coaching staff—we're just finalising a few details. The second is to speak with the players, first and foremost with Luka Modrić. We all know who Luka is and what he means, not only to Croatian football but to world football. The decision is entirely his. He means so much to the game and to this national team. The World Cup is simply not the same with Luka as it is without him. And when it comes to Croatia, he is so much more than just our best player. I spoke with him a few months ago, and last year as well. The question has always been whether each tournament would be his last. Speaking with him will be one of the very first things I do. I would absolutely love for him to continue, but the decision is entirely his."

On Luka Modrić...

"Let Luka and I discuss that topic first. We've already spoken about it as coach and friend, and he wanted to hear my opinion. But I'd prefer to talk to him before discussing it publicly."

On contacting Zlatko Dalić...

"I haven't spoken to him yet because everything wasn't officially resolved until this morning. You shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch. But of course I'll speak with Zlatko. He achieved phenomenal results. One of the biggest reasons I accepted this job is that he proved dreams really can come true. Naturally, I'll talk to him."

On his coaching staff...

"I'm not ready to announce it just yet, although there won't be any major surprises. There will be people who worked with me back in 2006, as well as some who have been with me throughout my club career. Others won't be joining because they've built careers of their own or are now successful head coaches themselves. There won't be any major surprises, but it will be a strong and experienced staff."

On his objectives...

"We'll take things one step at a time. It won't be easy, and we'll stay humble, but I came here to achieve something big. I believe we have three foundations for success. The first is the stability of the Federation. The organisation is well established and continues to improve. The second is the quality and potential of the squad that has just completed the World Cup. The third is everything Croatian football has achieved since 1998, especially under Zlatko Dalić.

If you remember my previous spell as head coach from 2006 to 2012, I always believed we could win the European Championship. That was our goal. We also wanted to win the 2010 World Cup—that's why we do this job. In 2008 we came very close to a major achievement. We failed to qualify in 2010, and in 2012 we were also very close. Had VAR existed then, we would certainly have progressed from the group stage.

I always asked myself whether it was really possible. The players led by Zlatko proved that it is. That's probably my biggest motivation - to achieve a great result at EURO 2028.

Before that we have the UEFA Nations League. Some people say we should sacrifice it to prepare for the European Championship. But let's remember how special it was to reach the semi-finals and final in Rotterdam. Still, I won't hide my ambitions. Some may call it arrogant - but it isn't. It will take togetherness and hard work. I came here to achieve something significant with this national team. My focus is firmly on EURO 2028."

On criticism...

"I've reached an age where I don't read things that don't concern me. I can only say this... If I'm considered not right-wing enough, then something is seriously wrong with the world, isn't it? Then the whole world has a problem."

On his experience...

"You can't ignore the fact that I've already been Croatia's head coach. All Croatia head coaches are connected because we're all part of the same story—the great story of Croatian football. However, I wouldn't compare the past with the present. Fourteen years have passed.

Part of my first spell was excellent, part of it unsuccessful. Everything happened for a reason, and in the end it all contributed to where we are today. We had two very good tournaments, but we missed out in 2010, which was a major disappointment. We were very close in 2008, and in 2012 I truly felt we were ready.

Croatia has always been known for growing stronger the longer a tournament lasts. Some national teams struggle after spending a long time together in camp, but Croatia is different. Still, all of that was a long time ago.

There are certain things I wouldn't change because it's difficult to change who you are. But I've gained tremendous experience working all over the world. As we say in Dalmatia, it has given me 'patina'—it has seasoned me.

It's difficult to speak about yourself, but I genuinely feel this is the right moment. I'm in the best years of my coaching career - not only because of my experience, but also because of my motivation, energy and desire. Those are the reasons why I accepted the president's offer.

We've been in contact for about two years, although we hadn't spoken much until recently. From the very beginning the message was clear: if and when Zlatko decided to leave, I would be considered. That's how every conversation began and ended."

On Josip Mišić...

"What Zlatko Dalić said about Josip Mišić was taken out of context. A national team is not a club. At club level you might decide not to extend contracts for players in their thirties if there are younger options in the same position.

Here there are no contracts and no transfers. A national team isn't built around selling players. The only thing that matters is selecting the best players in the country.

Of course, behaviour matters, as does whether players complement each other on the pitch. But ultimately, the only true criterion is quality."

On working with Croatia U-21 head coach Ivica Olić...

"Ivica Olić and Niko Kranjčar were my players, and I expect our cooperation to be excellent. Everything we do is for the benefit of the senior national team, which is the flagship team.

During my first spell as head coach, Dražen Ladić and Zlatko Dalić worked with the U-21s. Whenever we needed to move someone like Vedran Ćorluka between teams, we discussed it and found a solution. That's completely normal.

I'm convinced our cooperation will be outstanding. There is plenty of talent in the U-21s. Some players may not be ready immediately, but we'll gradually integrate them into the senior squad."

On calling up players from the Croatian league...

"Quality is the only requirement. Naturally, it's not the same if you're performing well for Manchester City or for Hajduk. There is a difference between the Premier League and the Croatian league. However, my staff and I proved during my first spell that we don't judge players by the club they represent. We selected plenty of players from the Croatian league. We also showed that you won't get a call-up simply because you're young. Nobody has an advantage. If two players are evenly matched, then we'll think about the long term."

On Croatia's performance at the FIFA World Cup...

"The overall impression was better than the final result. We achieved the primary objective by getting through the group stage. Although, with the current format where the best third-placed teams also qualify, it's a bit different.

The group turned out to be stronger than many expected. I underestimated Panama because I remembered the team from 2018, when England scored six against them and Brazil beat them 5-0. It turned out they're a very serious side. It's a real shame about the Portugal match because we saw two completely different versions of Croatia. That's something we've experienced ever since 1996.

Let's focus on the second-half performance against Portugal - it was outstanding. You can probably tell by my smile. I have no other words than to say we were robbed. That final decision was simply unbelievable.

But it should also serve as motivation, as a sign of the direction we want to take. Of course it's impossible to play like that in every match, but I'd like us to do it much more often - with confidence, courage and authority, while always respecting our opponents.

As Zlatko often said, Croatia has achieved so much already, and that will remain my guiding principle."

On his relationship with the players...

"I'll have the same kind of relationship with the players that I had during my first spell. It's neither good nor bad—it's complete. I'll try to make it a friendly one. I've learned a great deal over the years, and that's what makes great coaches truly great.

Sir Alex Ferguson maintained that kind of relationship for 25 years with David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers. He knew their families, their parents, everything. The relationship has to be complete.

It's the same as with your own child - you need to give them a hug. If I want something from you, I first have to give something to you. That's how things work - not only in football, but in life."

On the EURO 2008 quarter-final against Turkey...

"That was one second away from Olympus. Would we have gone on to win the tournament? I think we would. We would have faced Germany in the semi-finals, and we'd already beaten them in the group stage. We were so close.

I don't dwell on it, but people remind me of it all the time," he laughed. "Of course I'm sorry it happened, and I do think about it from time to time, but it's not like I wake up in a cold sweat every night because of Turkey."

On how he wants Croatia to play...

"Quality will always be the decisive factor. Of course, a player must also have the desire, motivation and passion to be here—to understand that the team comes first.

As for the style of play, we'll build it around the profile of players that suits both me and the way I want Croatia to play. This isn't the moment to go into tactical detail.

Take the Portugal match, for example. If we played Portugal again tomorrow, we probably wouldn't dominate them in the same way. But once you sense your opponent is on the ropes, there's no going backwards—you go for it. Like a Rottweiler.

I want my teams to play good football. Sometimes that's possible, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes good football means defending well, like we did against Spain in Gdańsk.

But I'll stick to my football philosophy, just as I did during my previous spell as head coach. I want as many technically gifted players on the pitch as possible. My job is to make sure they also run, work hard and fulfil their defensive responsibilities.

That's my philosophy. If you don't have players who are comfortable on the ball, it's very difficult to win. Those players are often not the strongest defensively, but it's our responsibility as coaches to motivate them and make the team function."

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