Croatian coach Bilic to prolong his contract

Croatia football coach Slaven Bilic is to prolong his contract for another two years, the country's football association (HNS) said Wednesday.

“The HNS has accepted the programme of cooperation with Slaven Bilic and his assistants and we will sign on Friday a two-year contract with them,” Zorislav Srebric, the association's secretary general, told AFP.

“That means that Bilic will stay at the helm of our squad during the qualification matches for the 2010 World Cup,” he added.

Srebric refused to disclose the details of the contract. According to local media, Bilic will have a monthly salary of 10,000 euros (15,500 dollars), which is twice his current salary.

In March, the 39-year-old former Croatian international said he turned down a “fantastic offer” to replace Dutchman Huub Stevens at the helm of German club Hamburg.

The former West Ham and Everton defender has also been approached by several English clubs, notably Fulham, and French side Paris Saint Germain.

Bilic became Croatia coach in 2006, leading the national team to the Euro 2008 finals.

His assistants are three other former internationals, Aljosa Asanovic, Nikola Jurcevic and Robert Prosinecki.

Bilic replaced Zlatko Kranjcar, who was sacked after Croatia was eliminated in the first round of 2006 World Cup in Germany.