ZAGREB: Slaven Bilic will return as head coach of Croatia, the national football federation announced on Monday, replacing Zlatko Dalic, who resigned after the country`s World Cup exit.

Dalic stepped down last week after a tenure that included a runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup. Croatia failed to move into the last 16 of this year`s World Cup, losing 2-1 to Cristiano Ronaldo`s Portugal.

Former Croatian international defender Bilic previously coached Croatia between 2006 and 2012.

The 57-year-old, who also coached English clubs West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Watford, was `unanimously appointed` as head coach, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) said.

`It is not easy to succeed Zlatko, but we are convinced that Slaven is the right person for this role,` HNS president Marijan Kustic said, praising Bilic`s `extensive coaching and managerial experience`.

Bilic recorded a higher winning percentage than Dalic during his last tenure, with 42 wins, 15 draws and eight defeats in 65 matches.

But his side`s best result was reaching the quarter-finals of the 2008 European Championships, which they lost on penalties to Turkiye.

`I am extremely excited about this challenge, which I feel completely ready for as a more mature and experienced coach than I was in 2006, but with the same motivation and desire for Croatia to be strong, bold and successful,` Bilic told a press conference.

The Split-born Bilic said he took the post to `achieve a great result, above all at the European Championship` in 2028.

Asked about whether veteran captain Luka Modric would retire from international football, Bilic said the decision was up to the former Ballon d`Or winner, who will turn 41 in September.

`He is much more to Croatia than just the best player. Modric has been asked whether he is retiring since 2018 ... I would like him to continue playing for the national team.

With 44 caps for Croatia, Bilic`s club career was mostly spent at Hajduk Split with stints in England at West Ham and Everton in the mid-1990s.

Bilic`s last coaching position was at Saudi Arabia`s Al-Fateh, during the 20232024 season.

Modric`s Croatia lost the 2018 World Cup final to France in Russia.

Dalic also guided the nation to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the last-16 at Euro 2020.-AFP