Slaven Bilic: “Better days for Lokomotiv are coming!”

New head coach of Lokomotiv Slaven Bilic gave his first interview to the club’s official website.

- Clubs from England, Turkey, Ukraine and Germany were interested in you, but you preferred Lokomotiv. Why?

- Right now I really would not like to talk about any other club but Lokomotiv. No reason for that. During the years with the Team Croatia I never even considered job offers from other clubs. I found it unprofessional and didn’t need to buy any points for myself talking about big clubs who wanted me as a coach. I’m sure everyone can understand it without explanations.

Yesterday we had a press conference, and I said it very clearly that I’m proud and happy to work in a club with great history and big ambitions, and Lokomotiv is definitely the one. Besides, I will live in a great city and coach the team that plays in a very strong league: top players and coaches are coming to Russia now and competition is high here. It is a big challenge for me but I’m 100 percent sure that I can make it with Loko.

- You have to know Russian football: Croatia played against Russia in the Euro-2008 qualification, and later helped our team by beating the English at Wembley. What can you say about the level of the Russian premier league?

- I know the Russian premier league very well. I actually know quite enough about every European league. It is a part of my job. If you compare the Russian championship with other European leagues you’ll see that the Russian Premier League is sort of special. It’s a very interesting competition because here at least 7 teams clash for the title. In other leagues, the title is always reserved for just two or three top clubs.

- Have you already thought about the way of development of your new club?

- I’ve had a serious and detailed discussion with Lokomotiv’s president Olga Smorodskaya. We’ve discussed a lot of issues and she amazed me with her profound understanding of football and of course with her energy. I think she’s all about football, but she wants other people to be so as well. Talking about the way of development, I just can say me and Mrs. Smorodskaya will have enough time to talk about it after the Euro-2012 is over.

- Now that you’re Lokomotiv head coach, will you follow the Railwaymen who play in Team Russia closely at Euro-2012?

- Only if we play against them. You have to understand that at this moment, I'm absolutely focused on the Croatian national team, my players and my current job. As I said, I will start as Lokomotiv coach right after the Euro, but until that day I have no right to think about anything else but Croatian team and my players. After that, one and only mission for me will be success of Lokomotiv Moscow.

- Lokomotiv supporters are looking forward to see you in Moscow. Say a few words to them!

- Enjoy the summer, better days are coming!