Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has stepped down following the nation’s World Cup exit, the Croatian Football Federation has announced.
The 59-year-old, who was appointed head coach in October 2017, has ended his near nine-year reign in the wake of his side’s last 32 defeat by Portugal.
A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell. Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalić has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with #Croatia. 🥈🥉🥈 Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying… pic.twitter.com/LHLzoe0JVj
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) July 8, 2026
A statement on the federation’s official X account said: “A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell. Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalic has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia.
Read more
-
Rory McIlroy making the most of familiar surroundings as he prepares for The Open
-
Scotland star braced for ultimate Springboks physical test in Pretoria
“Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia both on and off the pitch.
“The results speak of your coaching virtues. The respect you’ve earned from your players, staff and opponents speaks volumes about the person you are.”