Slaven Bilic appointed as coach of Lokomotiv Moscow

Slaven Bilic (GETTY IMAGES)

Slaven Bilic has been appointed coach of Lokomotiv Moscow from next season after they beat off competition from the Premier League for his signature.

The 43-year-old will step down as Croatia boss after Euro 2012 to take up the reins at the Russian club on a three-year contract.

Lokomotiv president Olga Smorodskaya told the club's website: "I am very pleased we have managed to hire such a strong and eminent coach.

"Bilic is one of the best coaches in Europe and in trying to get him we had to beat off competition from several clubs, including in the English Premier League."

Smorodskaya added: "I have no doubt that Bilic will lead the team to the next level and achieve success at Lokomotiv."

The former West Ham and Everton defender had been linked with the manager's job at Aston Villa as a possible replacement for the under-fire Alex McLeish.

He has been in charge of his national team since 2006, notably beating Steve McClaren's England home and away to stop them qualifying for Euro 2008.

Bilic takes over from Jose Couceiro at Lokomotiv after the club did not renew the Portuguese's contract.

The capital club have had a disappointing season, a seventh-placed finish, behind all three city rivals Spartak, CSKA and Dinamo, meaning they are not in Europe next season.

First, Bilic will look to end his reign as Croatia coach on a high at Euro 2012, where they are in a group with Spain, Italy and the Republic of Ireland.

PA