One thing's for sure, the remainder of Euro 2008 will be a little less entertaining without Slaven Bilic.

The Croatia coach wears his heart on his sleeve and it was broken in unbelievably dramatic fashion at the end of more than two hours of football in the quarterfinals last night.

As he ran onto the pitch, arms aloft, to celebrate what looked to be a last-gasp victory, the ball hitting the back of the Turkish net with little more than a minute left of extra time, it was inconceivable that even Turkey, so poor in the final third yet with a history of late, late goals, could possibly strike back.

But they did. Bilic was visibly crest fallen and penalties sealed his team's fate.

The part-time rockstar has been an entertaining sideshow throughout the tournament. Watching him is like going to the theatre. Last night, he acted out every twist and turn, scene-by-scene; even slipping to the turf in one anxious moment. His nerves strung out on the sidelines, he lived out the emotions of every watching Croat. I'd like to see what the statistical analysts made of the distance he covered.

Football needs characters like him who transmit their passion for all to see at a time when supporters suspect overpaid players of not caring enough.

The Premiership title race was a duller affair without the outlandish behaviour of Jose Mourinho, and the BBC studio would be a less interesting place without the impassioned outbursts and meandering arguments of Martin O'Neill.

During his punditry yesterday evening he had everyone giggling by forcefully raising a point, and in the absence of agreement from the others, said he agreed with himself (you had to be there).

It's not just moments of glory that bring out the best in charismatic managers, it's also in those moments of despair.

Croatia were entitled to break down in agony at being dumped out of the competition. They offered more attacking thrust and, in Spurs-bound wizard Luka Modric, they had the best player on the pitch. But I'm a great believer that if you don't take your chances you've only got your self to blame.

In those minutes immediately after veteran Turk goalkeeper Rustu saved the decisive penalty in the shootout, Bilic showed a paternal side. Despite his own devastation, he crouched over his floored players and then gently shepherded a tearful Vedran Corluka away from the painful scenes of Turkish delight.

A nice bloke, a sharp dresser and a sad farewell from the tournament. Best get the guitar out Slaven, rock out with your heart out.