
Croatian media criticizes coach Slaven Bilic
October 5, 2026 · Perú
Croatian media attacked coach Slaven Bilic after the heavy defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League match. Much criticism has been directed at Bilic and the players, with the hope that change will happen soon.
Croatian Media Criticizes Coach Slaven Bilic
According to Vi.
Background
As a coach, Slaven Bilic is now under the spotlight after poor results in the UEFA Nations League. With so much criticism directed at him, his future as Croatia coach is being questioned, especially ahead of the upcoming important matches. It is hoped that Bilic can find a solution to restore team spirit and better performance.
Why this is important
Croatia's crushing defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League caused a strong reaction from local media. Slaven Bilic, who was expected to lead the team back to winning ways, is now the target of sharp criticism, with many feeling that coaching changes need to be made urgently. This poor performance not only affected Bilic's reputation, but also the future of the Croatian national team on the international stage.
Main Points
- Croatian Media Condemns Coach Slaven Bilic.
- The Croatian media attacked coach Slaven Bilic after the heavy defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League match.
- Kroatische media slijpen de messen: 'Een schande als Bilic niet zelf opstapt'.
Croatia's crushing defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League match left a deep impact on the world of football in that country. The media in Croatia did not hesitate to criticize coach Slaven Bilic for failing to bring his team to success. In the Jutarnji report, it was stated, "It is difficult to find anything positive from this match. Bilic has incurred the wrath of the Croatian fans in this very disappointing match. The children present at the stadium will remember this sad moment for the rest of their lives, and it would be a shame if Bilic did not step down himself after this result."
In an opinion piece published by the same media, they consider goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who conceded seven goals, to be the best player in the team. "We are no longer among the elite of world football, we have become like San Marino. Bringing children to this match is a big mistake, because this match should only be attended by adults. We are worried that these children will lose their passion for football," he wrote.
Media Germanijak gave the bold headline, "This Is Not Croatia!" They highlighted how the evening should have been a beautiful football story with a bright atmosphere and children in the stadium, but ended in disappointment. All players received very low marks, with the team as a whole deemed to have performed poorly.
Despite much criticism aimed at Bilic, some media outlets stated that no one party was entirely to blame. "This was a disastrous night, and no one took overall responsibility. Not Slaven, not the players. This was the worst night ever for the national team," wrote 24sata.

In fact, they felt sorry for the children who watched the match. "It would be better if the stadium was empty than to see a defeat like this," they added.
Other media also rated the players, including Ivan Perisic, who plays for PSV, who only got a three. "It's not his fault that Croatia lacks a true left-back, but it's clear that at 37, he's not the solution for the upcoming qualifying cycle," they wrote.
A columnist from Index questioned Bilic's decision in a skeptical tone, "What happened, Bilic? The good news is that Livakovic managed to prevent the score from 0-13. Nothing went according to plan for Croatia. Goals usually happen when big teams play small teams. Today, we were that small team. Bilic, in his third game after returning, created one of the worst moments in the history of the national team. Congratulations, that's no small feat either."
This defeat presents a big challenge for Croatian football going forward, and many hope that there will be significant changes to restore the national team to glory.
What happened next
After widespread criticism, it is possible that Slaven Bilic will face pressure to step down from his position as coach. With such a disappointing performance, the Croatian team needs to carry out a thorough evaluation to prepare for the upcoming match. Dominik Livakovic, although considered the best player on the field, must also try to improve the team's defense so as not to suffer similar defeats in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Croatian team in the UEFA Nations League match?
Croatia suffered a crushing defeat to England, which left a big impact on the world of football in that country.
Who criticized coach Slaven Bilic?
Media in Croatia, including Jutarnji and Germanijak, criticized Slaven Bilic for the team's poor performance.
Why is the criticism of Bilic emerging now?
The criticism emerged after Croatia suffered a very disappointing defeat in the match against England.
What changes are expected after these bad results?
There are hopes that Slaven Bilic will step down from his position as coach after results that are considered embarrassing.
Which player is considered the best in the match?
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was considered the best player on the team despite conceding seven goals.