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Bilic keeps busy on busman's holiday
by Elvir Islamovic from Zagreb
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Slaven Bilic (Croatia) (¿Getty Images)
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Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has returned home after visiting
players based in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands during a week-long
European tour.
Pranjic role
As well as attending a two-day workshop in Vienna for UEFA EURO 2008T
coaches, Bilic called on a number of the squad who helped Croatia reach
the finals as Group E winners. In the Netherlands, the coach met with
SC Heereveen midfielder Danijel Pranjic, who may be asked to deputise
at left-back this summer. "I went for dinner with Pranjic and talked
to his coach the next day," said Bilic, after discussing the idea
with the 26-year-old. "He has fitted really well into the team and
everyone respects him."
Germany visit
Next port of call was Germany, where the trainer held talks with Hamburger
SV striker Ivica Olic before seeing BV Borussia Dortmund duo Mladen Petric
and Robert Kovac the following day. "Petric is ready," said
Bilic of a player who has scored eleven goals in 22 Bundesliga games this
term. "I'm not worried about my defenders, Robert Kovac and Dario
Simic, because they will be in the right condition come the finals and
are very experienced campaigners." In addition to these established
names, the coach will also leave the door open for other players to come
through: "Most of my squad for the EURO will be pretty obvious, but
there are still players who can earn a place. For example, if [NK Zadar
midfielder] Marin Tomasov does well between now and the season's end,
I could call on him. The same applies to other players."
Hamburg rumours
Bilic also dealt with speculation about his future, having spoken to officials
from Bundesliga club Hamburg during his trip. "I admit I talked to
Hamburg about their coach's position, although most of our conversation
was about Ivica Olic," he said. "They let me know they are interested
and I am one of the candidates to coach them next season. Of course I
am flattered that such a big club want me, but there has been no concrete
offer." There are suggestions former NK Dinamo Zagreb coach Branko
Ivankovic could succeed Bilic after the EURO, yet Croatian Football Federation
president Vlatko Markovic is hopeful the 39-year-old will remain in the
role. "I don't know what Bilic's plans are, but our offer will be
good," he said.
Euro2008.uefa.com,
18 March 2008
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