News Feature

Croatian manager 'not leaving team'

24 October 2008

Croatia's football manager Slaven Bilic says he is privileged to be linked to the Premier League but he will not leave his Croatian team.

It was rumoured he may take over at West Ham United earlier in the year when Alan Curbishley left but Gianfranco Zola was appointed.

Bilic is also connected with Tottenham Hotspurs as a possible replacement for their manager if the team continues to do badly in the Premier League.

However, the former defender told BBC Sport he is flattered to be linked to many clubs in England but he will not leave the national team.

"I have my job with Croatia and that is all I am concentrating on. It is hard to believe Tottenham's situation but a lot of good teams have been in the same position," he added.

Bilic said his dream is to manage a Premier League team one day but first he wants to finish his adventure of being in charge of a national team.

Croatia drew 0-0 with Ukraine earlier this month in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. ADNFCR-1197-ID-18843193-ADNFCR