New Croatia coach begs Modric to stay after World Cup upset
New Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has made talking to Luka Modric his top priority, saying he wants the AC Milan captain to keep playing for the national team after Croatia's World Cup last-32 exit to Portugal. Bilic stressed the decision is Modric's alone, while confirming he already spoke with him a year ago.
Key Takeaways
- Slaven Bilic is back as Croatia head coach for a second spell after Zlatko Dalic stepped down following the World Cup.
- Bilic named a fresh talk with Luka Modric among his first steps and said he would like the captain to continue.
- Croatia exited the 2026 World Cup in the last 32 against Portugal, ending Dalic's nearly nine-year tenure.
- AC Milan are also pushing Modric, who turns 41 in September, to stay for another club season.
Why did Croatia appoint Slaven Bilic again?
The Croatian Football Federation reappointed Bilic on 13 July 2026 after Dalic left the job he held for nearly nine years. Dalic had guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and third place in Qatar in 2022 before the side went out to Portugal in the last 32 of the latest tournament.
This is Bilic's second spell in charge. The 57-year-old previously managed Croatia from 2006 to 2012, taking the team to the European Championship finals in 2008 and 2012. According to the BBC, his first stint produced 42 wins, 15 draws and eight defeats from 65 matches.
Bilic, a former central defender with 44 caps who was part of Croatia's 1998 World Cup squad, said he felt more mature and experienced than in 2006, with the same desire to keep Croatia among football's elite. Club stops since then have included West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Besiktas and Saudi side Al-Fateh.
What did Bilic say about Modric's future?
At his unveiling press conference, Bilic put Modric at the centre of his early agenda. He said his first step is to set up headquarters, and his second is to talk to the players, especially Modric. "We all know who Luka is. The decision is entirely his," Bilic said, calling him much more than the best player in Croatia's national-team history.
Bilic also revealed contact with the Milan midfielder never fully stopped. "I already spoke with him a year ago. One of the first things I will do is speak with him again, and of course I would like him to continue playing for the national team, but ultimately the decision is his," he said, as reported by Goal.com.
That respect-first message matters because Modric's international future has gripped Croatia since the World Cup upset. Bilic framed any continuation as the player's choice, not a demand from the new coaching staff.
Could Modric still play on for club and country?
Modric's club situation is also unresolved. Milan are waiting on a definitive answer about another season, with owner Gerry Cardinale and head coach Ruben Amorim personally involved in talks about the club's new project. After missing out on the Champions League, reports had suggested the midfielder might retire after the World Cup, yet an option to extend at San Siro remains in play.
For readers tracking market and sports business ripples alongside the pitch, BlasterPost also files related alerts in Fintech & Crypto Alerts. On the pitch, Bilic's public plea keeps the Modric question live for Croatia as the new era begins.