Croatia captain Darijo Srna has said that outgoing coach Slaven Bilic has "a bright future in management".
Bilic, who took charge of Croatia in 2006, has announced that he will be leaving to join Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow at the end of Euro 2012. Meanwhile, as the team prepare to face the Republic of Ireland, Srna paid tribute to his coach.
"From his first training session, he showed that he has something that some other trainers don't have," said Srna.
"He is open, he shows how much he loves us, how much he trusts us and how much he supports us.
"He has a bright future in management ahead of him."
Croatia meet the Republic of Ireland in Poznan this evening.