FC Lokomotiv Moscow: Why Slaven Bilic as Manager Is a Win-Win Solution for Both

The UEFA webpage announced that Slaven Bilic (who is the coach of the Croatian National Football team) will become manager of FC Lokomotiv Moscow. Bilic is expected to take the reins of FC Lokomotov Moscow after the end of Euro 2012.

Bilic managing FC Lokomotiv Moscow is beneficial for both the club and the future manager.

FC Lokomotiv Moscow

According to ESPN Soccernet, FC Lokomotiv Moscow finished in fifth place with 64 points. The team is behind Spartak Moscow, CSKA Moscow, Zenit St. Petersburg and Dinamo Moscow.

Olga Smorodskaya (FC Lokomotiv Moscow president) has ambitious plans for the club as reported by UEFA. The plans of Ms. Smorodskaya is to take the club to even higher levels within three years especially with Russia hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Ms. Smorodskaya is hoping that Bilic is the person who could put everything in Lokomotiv Moscow together. Jose Couceiro (according to the Daily Mail) was forced to quit as manager because of not-so-great season. The result left Lokomotiv Moscow out of the UEFA Europa League.

Slaven Bilic

Bilic takes with him experience as manager of the Croatian National Football team. He was also a defender for the Premier League (or English teams) West Ham and Everton.

According to the Daily Mail, under Bilic, Croatia advanced in European football as the team defeated England to qualify for Euro 2008. According to the BBC Sports website, Croatia eventually lost to Turkey on the basis of penalties in the same event.

Under Bilic, Croatia participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and qualified for the 2012 Euro. In addition to the Croatian National Football team, Bilic coached the Hajduk Split team in Croatia.

It is hoped that FC Lokomotiv Moscow can have a strong season with Bilic as its manager. It remains to be seen what will transpire after Euro 2012.