Bilic's Boys and beyond

Last week Slaven Bilic announced that he will resign as manager of the Croatian national football team after the World Cup qualifying matches. I think ultimately this will benefit the side, as Bilic’s exuberance and passion feed into the abundant emotions of a country whose team has twice paid for overcelebration in major tournaments. Last June’s loss to Turkey, like the 1998 loss to France, turned on a moment of joy. Despite the memory of Zvonimir Boban’s brief lapse, players and coaches failed to compose themselves following a dramatic goal in the EURO quarterfinals, allowing the possibility of an unthinkable response.

Neither Boban nor those celebrants can be held wholly responsible for Croatia’s painful losses. However, in a game of finite opportunity, failures of mental discipline are often definitive. It is also vital that teams achieve balance and learn, as it were, to overcome their strengths. Italy must not overdefend, while Brazil’s incredible talent base can hinder cohesion. In the same vein, Croatia must avoid being overwhelmed by emotion.

Slaven Bilic and Croatia will both remain prominent in football, and neither should be simply defined by their passion. The success of this team, particularly in the Bilic-Asanovic era, can be traced to definite decisions made by the coaching staff. The emergence of young players like Luka Modric and Eduardo was due largely to Bilic’s work with the U-21 squad, his judgment of talent and a commitment to generational change. This was evident in his first game as manager, a 2:0 friendly victory over Italy, with Modric and Eduardo leading the way.

Bilic also oversaw Croatia’s belated mastery of the 4-4-2, replacing an often stagnant 5-3-2. He used the new formation to good effect at EURO, cleverly shifting Niko Kranjcar to a more advanced position, while allowing Modric to pull the strings from center midfield. The side’s achievement in Austria/Switzerland was especially impressive given the absence of its one reliable marksman (Eduardo), and a perennial weakness in central defense.

Spirit and national pride have always been major factors in Croatia’s footballing triumphs. Bilic’s tenure, like his own golden generation of a decade ago, hinted at the possibilities when such sentiments buttress strong developmental and tactical systems. His management (and role in the rescue of Hajduk Spllit) established a foundation for lasting success. However, like his predecessors, he was unable to harness the players’ emotions, resulting in clouded judgment at key moments. Bilic is the best football manager in the team’s history, but his nature, while entertaining, reinforces a consistent problem which ultimately limits the club’s success. I will miss his intelligence, charisma and massive love of both country and sport. I will also long remember his fatherly consolation after the devastating loss to Turkey. However, a cooler, if not detached, approach is needed to foster a blend of talent, composure and execution to prevent the recurrence of such scenes.