News Feature

Croatia manager Bilic turns down German role

30 March 2009

Croatian football manager Slaven Bilic has turned down a coaching role with German giants Schalke 04, it has been reported.

The 40-year-old, who is currently head of the national side set-up, stated that he was looking to guide Croatia to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

Speaking to the German newspaper Bild, he suggested he had no plans to take up the position left vacant since the sacking of manager Fred Rutten.

As reported by the Agence France Presse, Bilic told the publication: "The people from Schalke were in Zagreb on Sunday and we spoke.

"I thanked them and repeated that I just want to focus on the Croatia national team at the moment."

He added that it was a "huge" honour to be considered for a role at the Gelsenkirchen club.

Before turning his hand to management, Split-born Bilic forged a successful football career at both national and international levels, appearing for teams such as Hajduk, West Ham United and Everton.

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