Bozkurt said international recognition was part of the plan from the beginning.
“We set targets, we set three-month targets, six-month targets, 12-month targets, long-term targets, and the long-term target for him was to be part of the Croatian national team,” he said.
Pandur has strengthened his case at precisely the right time. He helped Hull City secure promotion to the Premier League and kept three clean sheets during the play-offs, arriving in Croatia’s squad with confidence and momentum.
For a goalkeeper, progress is often measured in moments that pass quickly. A penalty save against Sheffield United and another stop from Kieffer Moore against Wrexham became important markers in Pandur’s campaign.
Bozkurt’s assessment is that Pandur’s development has come through repeatable habits: training standards, concentration and a willingness to keep improving after both good and bad moments.
The coach also acknowledged that Pandur can be intensely self-critical. That personality can create pressure, but it has apparently been channelled into preparation rather than distraction.
“I thought it was achievable. I thought he was good enough to do it,” Bozkurt added. “To see him every day working the way he does, being part of the team, he's always wanted the best for the team; he's always wanted the best for himself.”
That mentality has helped him become part of a Hull dressing room Bozkurt described as demanding, united and rich in strong personalities.
Pandur’s selection is one milestone. His next challenge is contributing on the international stage, with Croatia set to begin their World Cup campaign against England in Arlington on Wednesday evening.
Whether he starts or waits for his opportunity, the fixture will offer a sharp test of how far Hull’s two-year plan has taken him - and whether the goalkeeper can turn a long-term target into a lasting international career.