Croatia boss Slaven Bilic has revealed that he would like to manage in the Premier League.
The former-Croatia captain’s contract with his national team expires after the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
Desire
Bilic told the Daily Telegraph: “ One day I would love – love, not like – to manage a club. And the Premier League is the league in the world that any manager would jump at the opportunity to work in.
“I watch the Premier League all the time, not only because my players are playing here but it’s the most attractive league in Europe.”
Undecided
Bilic has also stated that he could remain in his current position should he be offered a new deal. He continued by saying: “It’s my dream to have a successful Euros and maybe, maybe leave after that,”
“I would love to have a great championship and then I am open to working elsewhere if that is what is the best for everyone. The situation is that my contract expires at the end of the championships.
“It would be a good time to go if that was right. If the Croatian FA wants me to stay then of course I will talk to them but I am open to talking to clubs as well.”
Opportunities
The Croatia boss later revealed that a number of clubs have already shown an interest in his services. He said: “To be fair, I have had a lot of options during the past five years but I have never wanted to leave.
“I showed respect to the clubs and talked to them. I didn’t negotiate but I talked to them – and I talked to some national teams but I decided to stay with Croatia, with my country, and do the job that I love.
“I don’t regret a thing and I would do the same again. But I’m very interested to work in a club. I see myself more as a club manager than as an international coach. Although this job, for me, was the best ever because I am the national coach of my country.”
Highly-rated
The former-West Ham and Everton defender is highly-rated and is regarded as one of the best up and coming managers in the European game. Having done a fantastic job with the Croatian national side maybe now its time he got his chance in club management.
Considering it is his first major managerial role (despite having managed Hajduk Split for a short period) he is doing a great job and it’s obvious that he wants to try his hand at club after six years in the international game.
Different
The 43 year-old is one of the games intellectuals. Bilic holds a law degree and can speak four languages, including English which would obviously help him a lot in the Premier League.
Bilic was never a typical footballer and he is definitely not a typical boss. I don‘t know many football managers that play in a hard rock band. On the professional side though Bilic seems like a good man-motivator, as he has inspired his team to Euro 2008 and now Euro 2012.
His only blip was not qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after his team finished third in a group involving England. His countries Football federation didn’t lose faith in their boss though and he stayed on. A record of 40 victories, 13 draws and just 6 defeats is an impressive one.
Possibilities
The Premier League does hold some possibilities for the Croatian boss. He has already been linked with both the Tottenham and Chelsea hot seats. However his lack of experience in the club game may prevent him from being given such big jobs in the English top flight.
I do see him heading to the Premier League in the near future though. I believe he has the mental strength and character to become a top club boss. Where he will end up remains to be seen but the Premier League would definitely be a bit more colourful for Bilic’s presence.
Will Slaven Bilic be heading for the Premier League this summer?
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