Niko Kovač: “I Want to Take Croatia Back to Slaven Bilić Era”

Speaking in a television interview on Sunday, new Croatia football boss Niko Kovač wants Croatia to return to the days when it was under the leadership of Slaven Bilić.

“Croatia needs to return to that which was under Slaven Bilić,” Kovač told RTL television, before adding.

“I want Croatia to go back to how it was (under Bilić). We were organised, I remember during Slaven Bilić’s era that we were a team which was compact, which worked well in attack and defence, which conceded not many goals,” said Kovač, who said that he would be lying if he did not feel nerves before the upcoming playoff matches with Iceland (15/19 November).

Kovač was Croatia captain under Slaven Bilić

The German-born former Bayern Munich hardman will only have a short period of time to install the hard work and discipline he was renowned for as a player.

“Listen, it’s always funny when they all say Niko will bring in German discipline. I think that is normal, I do not see any reason why they constantly emphasise that, that ‘German’ discipline is a prerequisite for success,” said Kovač.