STIMAC TAKES OVER

The Croatian football Association has appointed the former Croatian defender Igor Stimac has replacement for Slaven Bilic, who decided to step down from his post after the end of the Euro 2012. The former West Ham defender has decided to take up an offer to manage Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow rather than continue with the Croatian national team, who have achieved a lot during the initial years of his reign. Slaven Bilic helped the Croatian national team qualify for the Euro 2008, while also performing exceptionally well at this major tournament. However, they have failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while they did not so well at the Euro 2012.

As a result, the Croatian football Association decided that it was time for a change, which happened to be the same decision taken by Slaven Bilic as well. They have appointed 44-year-old Igor Stimac in his place. Igor Stimac will be hoping to lead the national team to the 2014 FIFA World Cup – the qualifying campaign for which will begin shortly. Igor Stimac and Slaven Bilic know each other pretty well having played together at the 1998 World Cup, in which Croatian excelled and exceeded all expectations.

Stimac has acknowledged the fact that the qualifying group that contains Croatia is the toughest of all because it contains the likes of Serbia, Belgium, Wales and Scotland. Even though it is extremely tough on paper, Stimac has promised that he will give his all in order to help Croatia play at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “I believe we can look forward to better things and I will do everything in my power along with my staff to raise the level of our performances and results. We plan to improve things gradually and instil more confidence into the squad because we want to go to Brazil as contenders, not as also-rans,” he said.