Croatia Legend Reveals Premier League Ambition

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has revealed he would love the opportunity to manage in the Premier League but insists he is yet to receive an offer that matches his ambitions.

Bilic was in London on Sunday to watch Tottenham's Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar during the 3-1 win over Swansea at White Hart Lane. The Croatia coach also monitored the progress of Everton striker Nikica Jelavic on Saturday as he continues his preparations for this summer's Euro 2012 finals.

Croatia have been drawn in the tournament's 'group of death' alongside Spain, Italy and the Republic of Ireland but an upbeat Bilic said it would be a disappointment if his side failed to progress.

"It's the cruellest tournament you can imagine," he is quoted in the Telegraph. "For now, the only thing I am concentrating on is watching my players ahead of the championships," Bilic explained. "This week I am in England, in two weeks' time I am going to be in Germany.

"All I am thinking about, all I am preparing for is the Euros. What is going to happen afterwards, we will see. But I am ready for all options."

Bilic's contract with the Croatian Federation expires after this summer's tournament in Poland Ukraine and he continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League. The former West Ham defender has spent six years in charge of the national side and is consistently recognised as one of the best young managers in the world.

He has turned down several lucrative offers from English, German and Russian clubs as well as a host of national teams in the past and his enviable record - his Croatia side have lost just six times in 40 competitive matches - means he is unlikely to be out of work should he leave his current role after this summer's tournament.

"One day I would love - love, not like - to manage a club," said Bilic. "And the Premier League is the league in the world that any manager would jump at the opportunity to work in. I watch the Premier League all the time, not only because my players are playing here but it's the most attractive league in Europe."

"It's my dream to have successful Euros and maybe, maybe leave after that. I would love to have a great championship and then I am open to working elsewhere if that is what is the best for everyone.

"The situation is that my contract expires at the end of the championships. It would be a good time to go if that was right. If the Croatian FA wants me to stay then of course I will talk to them but I am open to talking to clubs as well."

According to a report in the Sun, Bilic said no to Manchester City after Euro 2008 and rejected West Ham, Fulham and Portsmouth. The Israel FA also enquired after his services, while Schalke, Hamburg and Wolfsburg were interested.

"To be fair, I have had a lot of options during the past five years but I have never wanted to leave," added Bilic. "I showed respect to the clubs and talked to them. I didn't negotiate but I talked to them - and I talked to some national teams but I decided to stay with Croatia, with my country, and do the job that I love.

"I don't regret a thing and I would do the same again. But I'm very interested to work in a club. I see myself more as a club manager than as an international coach. Although this job, for me, was the best ever because I am the national coach of my country.

"It's more than a job; it's everything but a job. It's personal. If I had options, I would definitely like to think about working in a club. It's my wish but, of course, I am totally concentrated on the Euros and that's the only thing I am thinking about at the moment. What happens after the Euros, we're going to have to see."