Slaven Bilić: Biography, Facts and Career

Slaven Bilić (pronounced [slǎʋen bǐːlitɕ]; born 11 September 1968) is a Croatian professional football manager and former player. Bilić, who played as a defender, began his career in 1988 with his hometown club Hajduk Split, later having successful spells with Karlsruher SC in Germany, and West Ham United and Everton in England before retiring from active football in 2001. At the international level, Bilić served as one of Croatia's most consistent defenders during the tenure of coach Miroslav Blažević, earning 44 caps between 1992 and 1999. Following his retirement as a player in 2001 at Hajduk Split, Bilić coached the team in the second half of the 2001–02 season. Between 2004 and 2006, he managed the Croatia national under-21 team, before taking over the senior national side. He led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2008 European Championship and left after the next edition four years later. He was praised for his long-standing service to the national side and credited with successfully overseeing the introduction of a series of young players from the under-21 squad to the senior side. He subsequently managed Lokomotiv Moscow, Beşiktaş, West Ham United, Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al Fateh.

Quick facts about Slaven Bilić

• Full name: Slaven Bilić
• Born: 1968-09-11
• Nationality: Croatia
• Known as: Athlete
• Wikidata ID: Q489107

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.