[1] At the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence, Franjo Tuđman, president of the Republic of Croatia offered him the position of the minister of defence, but Červenko refused saying "I'm a soldier, not politician".

In January 1992, Červenko became the commander of Croatian Home Guard (Domobranstvo), becoming deputy of chief of the General Staff.

The top of his military career came just before the Operation Storm, when he succeeded Janko Bobetko in the position of Chief of the General Staff.

He served as Chief of General Staff from 15 July 1995 until 16 November 1996.

He was buried in Alley of Croatian Heroes at the Mirogoj Cemetery.