Featured image: Screenshot / HRT
Zlatko Dalić has ended his tenure as head coach of the Croatian national football team. After the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he decided to bring to a close one of the most successful periods in the history of Croatian football.
The outgoing head coach informed Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustić of his decision at a meeting at the HNS headquarters, the federation officially announced. It brings an end to Dalić’s journey with the Vatreni, which lasted almost nine years and brought Croatia three major medals.
Zlatko Dalić: “No greater honour than leading Croatia”
Dalić leaves as the most successful and longest-serving head coach in the history of the Croatian national team. With Croatia, he won silver at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, bronze at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and silver in the 2023 UEFA Nations League. He also secured qualification for EURO 2020, EURO 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The role of head coach requires many difficult decisions, but this was certainly the hardest one for me. I have always said that there is no greater honour than leading your national team, and that I could not have a more important, more responsible or more beautiful job than this. When I took over the national team, I believed in the quality of the players and in myself, but I never dared to dream that we would achieve everything we have achieved over these almost nine years.
I cannot describe how proud I am of every victory, of qualifying for major tournaments, of three medals, of great nights in Croatian football such as those when we beat England or Brazil at World Cups, but most of all of the unity we achieved within the team and with the Croatian people, something we especially witnessed during those unforgettable homecomings after winning world medals,” Zlatko Dalić said.
In his farewell message, he especially thanked the members of his staff, the people at HNS, the supporters, the media and his family, while reserving his greatest gratitude for the players.
Dalić admitted that he had reconsidered his decision in recent days, especially after the support he received, but concluded that now was the right time to leave.
“Although I still feel the ambition and desire to write new success stories with Croatia, I feel this is the right moment to close this incredible era. I leave with a full heart and proud that I have contributed to the greatest achievements in the history of Croatian football, and I wish my successor, the Croatian national team and Croatian football many new successes, in which I deeply believe,” Zlatko Dalić concluded, according to HNS.
From a rescue mission to Croatia’s greatest era
Zlatko Dalić took over the Croatian national team in October 2017, at a time when Croatia still had to secure qualification for the World Cup in Russia. After Ante Čačić was dismissed, Dalić was given the task of rescuing the qualifying campaign, and in his first match in charge he beat Ukraine 2-0 in Kyiv. That result sent Croatia into the play-offs, where victory over Greece secured a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Just a few months later, Dalić led Croatia to the greatest result in the country’s football history. The Vatreni reached the World Cup final in Russia and won the silver medal after defeat to France.
That achievement marked an entire generation and cemented Dalić’s place among the most important figures in Croatian sport.
Four years later, Croatia were once again among the best teams in the world under his leadership. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, they won the bronze medal after beating Morocco in the third-place match. In 2023, Zlatko Dalić also led Croatia to the UEFA Nations League final, where Spain won after a penalty shootout.
Built on unity, belief and experience
During his tenure, Croatia maintained continuity at major tournaments and the status of a team capable of competing with anyone.
Under Zlatko Dalić, the Vatreni recorded major victories against national teams such as Argentina, England, Brazil and France, while his time in charge was defined by unity, trust in experienced players and the gradual introduction of a new generation.
Dalić led the Croatian national team in 111 matches, recording 62 wins, 20 draws and 29 defeats. His tenure was marked by silver at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, bronze at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, silver in the 2023 UEFA Nations League, three consecutive World Cup qualifications and appearances at the European Championships in 2020 and 2024.
His departure marks the end of an era in which Croatia, a national team from a country of fewer than four million people, became a regular presence in the final stages of the biggest international tournaments and one of the most respected football teams in the world.
HNS to Zlatko Dalić: “Coach, thank you for everything”
In a farewell message published by HNS, the federation described Dalić’s time with Croatia as “a humble arrival, an unforgettable journey and a proud farewell.”
HNS thanked him for the victories, achievements, qualifications, medals, unity, respect and determined fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch. “Coach, thank you for everything,” the federation said.
