Despite qualifying for the World cup play-offs Croatia have sacked manager Igor Stimac.

The Croats lost their last two qualifiers in a row to Belgium and Scotland.

The home defeat to a Romelu Lukaku-inspired Belgium was the more crucial result as it ended any chance of an automatic qualifying spot.

The Croatians are currently ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings. Although they will drop from that position in the October rankings, they should still be placed high enough to be among the top seeds for UEFA's playoff draw next week.

Former West Ham defender Stimac was a member of the Croatia team that reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals and took the Croatia job last year after ex-team-mate Slaven Bilic left the role.