Croatia's Bilic Rubbishes Exit Rumours

voldemort · 01-23-2008, 08:38 AM

There was speculation at the weekend, when Croatia manager Slaven Bilic visited London, that he was planning to accept a job with a cub in the English Premuer League.

But the former West Ham and Everton defender stold a news conference in Zagreb on Tuesday: "If I was after the money, I would have accepted the first offers that came my way from [Fulham owner] Mohamed Al Fayed and others.

"If I have to explain my position every time I cross the border, no problem. I've been to London privately a few times before," he said.

In fact, said Bilic, his weekend trip had been in order to meet English-based Croatia internationals Eduardo da Silva of Arsenal, Niko Kranjcar of Portsmouth, and Vedran Corluka of Manchester City.

The Croats have a friendly international against the Netherlands in Split on February 6th.

Bilic said the media in Croatia had taken his comments to their English counterparts completely out of context. Those comments were regarding his contract with the Croatian Football Association (HNS).

"British media praised my position as patriotic after I told them money isn't everything and that I took up the Croatia job for a different reason.

"I do believe I am underpaid but that's not an issue at the moment and I knew exactly how much I would be paid when I took the job. It's also not true that I have turned down an improved offer from the Croatian FA."

"I've had a terrific relationship with the HNS all this time and I won't let anything spoil it. This speculation doesn't bother me at all but it could affect the team spirit."

Croatia reached the finals of Euro 2008 after a successful qualifying campaign that included home and away wins over Group favourites England, who finished as runners-up an sacked manager Steve McClaren as a result.

Bilic has been linked with a number of Premier League teams since the Croats knocked England out of Euro 2008. And he has not yet revealed what his intentions will be after the tournament in Austria and Switzerland finishes at the end of June.

Croatia, drawn in Group B along with Germany, Poland and Austria, are being tipped as dark horses to win the tournament.

source:goal.com

01-23-2008, 08:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,186	Croatia's Bilic Rubbishes Exit Rumours There was speculation at the weekend, when Croatia manager Slaven Bilic visited London, that he was planning to accept a job with a cub in the English Premuer League. But the former West Ham and Everton defender stold a news conference in Zagreb on Tuesday: "If I was after the money, I would have accepted the first offers that came my way from [Fulham owner] Mohamed Al Fayed and others. "If I have to explain my position every time I cross the border, no problem. I've been to London privately a few times before," he said. In fact, said Bilic, his weekend trip had been in order to meet English-based Croatia internationals Eduardo da Silva of Arsenal, Niko Kranjcar of Portsmouth, and Vedran Corluka of Manchester City. The Croats have a friendly international against the Netherlands in Split on February 6th. Bilic said the media in Croatia had taken his comments to their English counterparts completely out of context. Those comments were regarding his contract with the Croatian Football Association (HNS). "British media praised my position as patriotic after I told them money isn't everything and that I took up the Croatia job for a different reason. "I do believe I am underpaid but that's not an issue at the moment and I knew exactly how much I would be paid when I took the job. It's also not true that I have turned down an improved offer from the Croatian FA." "I've had a terrific relationship with the HNS all this time and I won't let anything spoil it. This speculation doesn't bother me at all but it could affect the team spirit." Croatia reached the finals of Euro 2008 after a successful qualifying campaign that included home and away wins over Group favourites England, who finished as runners-up an sacked manager Steve McClaren as a result. Bilic has been linked with a number of Premier League teams since the Croats knocked England out of Euro 2008. And he has not yet revealed what his intentions will be after the tournament in Austria and Switzerland finishes at the end of June. Croatia, drawn in Group B along with Germany, Poland and Austria, are being tipped as dark horses to win the tournament. source:goal.com