Dalić Ends Nine-Year Croatia Tenure After World Cup Elimination

Dalić Ends Nine-Year Croatia Tenure After World Cup Elimination

Zlatko Dalić has left his position as Croatia's national team head coach, the Croatian Football Federation announced Wednesday, less than a week after Croatia were eliminated from the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the round of 32. Dalić, who spent nearly nine years in the role, confirmed his departure in a statement published by the federation on Instagram.

"I leave with a fulfilled heart, proud of my contribution to the greatest successes of Croatian soccer in history, and I wish my successor, the national team and Croatian soccer many new successes," Dalić said. He added that while recent public support had prompted him to reconsider, he concluded that the moment was right to bring his tenure to a close. "As much as I still feel the ambition and desire to write new successes with Croatia, I feel that this is the right moment to conclude this incredible era," he said. ante post greyhound betting

Dalić oversaw the peak years of Croatia's so-called golden generation, a squad built around captain and midfielder Luka Modrić. Under his direction, Croatia finished as runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and claimed third place at the 2022 edition in Qatar - back-to-back top-three finishes at football's most prestigious tournament. The national side also reached the final of the 2023 UEFA Nations League, where they finished as runners-up. The federation described Dalić's tenure as an "unforgettable journey" and his exit as a "proud farewell," crediting him with victories, qualifying berths, medals, and what it called his "unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch."

The federation had not announced a successor as of Wednesday. Croatia now face a transitional period as the squad navigates the post-Dalić era, with the longer-term question of succession beyond Modrić's generation also looming over the programme's future direction.