It seems that the passing of time can soften around the edges even the most abrasive of characters. Once a beastly defender, the snappy Slaven Bilic, despite being littered with earrings and tattoos, seems to be at one with the sober suits of management. As Steve McClaren questionably lunged for shelter under a big jacket and an umbrella at a sodden Wembley last November in what was a deathly 3-2 loss and his farewell as England's manager, Bilic got regally soaked amid the celebrations.
His Croatia side renew acquaintances with England in Zagreb tomorrow night in a World Cup qualifying fixture. The home side downed them in the same city 2-0 two years ago before riding roughshod over them at Wembley. Whatever is made of England under Fabio Capello, the visitors cannot be regarded as favourites to waltz off with three points. Croatia enjoyed a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan in their opening qualifier, and a third straight success over England would hardly be a surprise.
It is little wonder Bilic was found skipping in the London rain in the British autumn, in the autumn of McClaren's plummeting experience, knowing his side were bound for the European Championship finals. He appeared to use his suit of armour to repel the rain thudding out of London skies. Croatia splashed around in the puddles to great effect, and they have assisted in earning him a sturdy reputation. The Tottenham players Luca Modric and Vedran Corluka, and Arsenal's striker Eduardo da Silva have all benefited from his guidance.
They have been sharp dressers under Bilic over the past three years, more Armani than Marks and Spencers. His recent appeal to labouring clubs, particularly in England's Premier League, is not a surprise, having escorted Croatia into the quarter-finals of Euro 2008. A number of chairmen would love this titan of modern managers to don their club tie and blazer, but Bilic will not be departing Croatia any time soon.
He is a wanted man, especially in the English Premier League. His former club West Ham United and Newcastle, who have just haemorrhaged Kevin Keegan, are the latest clubs to allegedly crave his adroit but friendly coaching mannerisms. He may be a player's manager but Bilic is also a man's man, managing to embrace his wounded players after they lost to Turkey on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.
"With the greatest respect to women, football is the most beautiful thing in the world," he once said. Bilic was part of a famed Croatia side who manoeuvred themselves into the semi-final of a 1998 World Cup semi-finals while he represented Everton. The French and Laurent Blanc may not have fond memories of him, but he admitted feigning injury and apologised to Blanc for getting the former Barcelona defender sent off. Blanc missed France's final win over Brazil. In national coaching statistics, Bilic is perched behind Brazil's Dunga, with 17 wins from 24 games and only two losses.
Bilic will turn 40 this week and as far as his career in management is concerned, it appears that life is just beginning. Time and tide wait for no man, but Bilic, aware that he would be popular among fans of West Ham to replace Alan Curbishley, is not of a mind that he will be washed up any time soon. "I'm not going anywhere. Any club from England is a great opportunity. "Not for money, honestly, for me it's about ambition. It's about working in England, a country you know I adore," he said.
"But it's no. West Ham is my club, I have feelings for them but I won't go. And I won't go to Newcastle. "I had many offers in the period between our win at Wembley last November until I signed a new deal in May." England's Capello may have a monumental record in management with Champions League gongs adorning his attire, yet he could pick up a few niceties from Bilic's wardrobe. @Email:dkane@thenational.ae
