Croatia's successful coach departs after World Cup exit

Zlatko Dalić is stepping down as the head coach of the Croatian national football team, the Croatian Football Federation announced Wednesday. His departure follows the team's exit from the World Cup after a 1-2 loss to Portugal last week.

Dalić's contract was set to expire, and reports suggest he has a lucrative offer from the United Arab Emirates. His nearly nine-year tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup and a bronze at the 2022 tournament, as well as a silver in the 2023 Nations League. He also guided the team through qualifications for numerous tournaments.

"I cannot describe how proud I am of every victory, of qualifying for the major tournaments, of the three medals, of the great evenings in Croatian football like when we defeated England and Brazil at the World Cup," Dalic stated on the federation's website. "But most of all, of the unity we created within the team and with the Croatian people, which we witnessed especially during the unforgettable receptions after the won World Cup medals."

Former Croatian international defender Slaven Bilic is reportedly being considered as Dalić's successor.

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I cannot describe how proud I am of every victory, of qualifying for the major tournaments, of the three medals, of the great evenings in Croatian football like when we defeated England and Brazil at the World Cup. But most of all, of the unity we created within the team and with the Croatian people, which we witnessed especially during the unforgettable receptions after the won World Cup medals.