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Croatia Brings Bilic To Coach

World Cup 2006 ended more than a month ago, but the international soccer stage is still rattling. Just like with previous tournaments, there are many changes in the personnel of international teams. Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and England have all changed their national coaches, and now Croatia follows suit.

Slaven Bilic, former start of the national soccer team, was hired on Tuesday to replace Zaltko Kranjar. Croatia`s week performance and poor display at Germany during World Cup 2006 has led to this decision, and Croatian soccer officials are hoping that Bilic will manage to do a better job. Croatia did not make it to the second round of World Cup 2006 and was kicked out in the first scoring two goals in three games.

The 37-year-old Bilic played as a defender and was part of the team that finished third in France during World Cup 1998. Bilic retired from international playing in 2001 and was coaching the Croatian youth team ever since.