Zlatko Dalić departs, Croatia seeks replacement

Zlatko Dalić is no longer the head coach of the Croatian national football team, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) announced. The 59-year-old coach stepped down after nine years and nine months, during which he led the team to two World Cup medals and guided them through five major tournaments.

"The role of head coach requires making many difficult decisions, but this one about leaving was certainly the hardest for me. I have always said that there is no greater honor than leading my national team and that I could not have a more important, responsible, or fulfilling task than this," Dalić said on the HNS website.

He took over the team in October 2017, inheriting a precarious situation in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Under his leadership, Croatia secured a place in the tournament, eventually reaching the final where they lost 2-4 to France. In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Dalić guided Croatia to a bronze medal.

Dalić also coached Croatia in two European Championships, reaching the round of 16 in 2021 and exiting in the group stage in 2024. Their campaign in North America this year ended in the round of 16. In total, Dalić managed Croatia in 111 matches, recording 57 wins, 26 draws, and 28 losses. He is reportedly set to continue his coaching career in the United Arab Emirates, with a multi-million euro contract. Slaven Bilić is mentioned as his most likely successor.

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The role of head coach requires making many difficult decisions, but this one about leaving was certainly the hardest for me. I have always said that there is no greater honor than leading my national team and that I could not have a more important, responsible, or fulfilling task than this.