Slaven Bilic Linked with Australia Job

Slaven Bilić (Screenshot)

Croatian football manager Slaven Bilic has been linked with the vacant Australia job as the Socceroos seek out a manager to lead them at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Australian Football Federation are on the lookout for a coach after Ange Postecoglou left his post, and according to Goal.com, former Croatia, and West Ham coach Slaven Bilic (49) is one of the candidates.

Slaven Bilić was sacked from West Ham (Photo credit/Steven Paston/PA Wire)

The report claims that Australia Football Federation CEO David Gallop has been in Europe and has had multiple conversations with Bilic’s agent regarding the job.

Bilic is not the only candidate for the job, with the Australian Football Federation also reportedly talking with RB Leipzig’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick and Italian Gianni Di Biasi.

Local-based Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic are also rumoured to be in the mix for the job.

Bilic, who was sacked by the West Ham in November last year, managed Croatia between 2006 and 2012 but has yet to go to a World Cup as a coach. The former Croatian international was also recently linked with jobs in the English Premier League at Swansea City and Stoke City.

Slaven in his days with the Croatia team (HNS)

Bilic’s good friend and assistant during his days with the Croatian national team, Aljosa Asanovic, moved to Australia last year to take up a coaching job with the Melbourne Knights.

Australia qualified for Russia after beating Honduras in a playoff. They have been drawn in the same group with France, Peru, and Denmark at the World Cup.

The Australian Football Federation is set to announce the new coach in February.