Zlatko Dalic has stepped down as Croatia coach after an illustrious nine-year run with the national team, which included two top-three finishes at the FIFA World Cup™.
The announcement came less than a week after by Portugal in the Round of 32.
Croatia's most successful coach ever, Dalic guided his country to the Russia 2018 final, where they lost 4-2 to France, and a third-place finish at Qatar 2022. His team were also runners-up in the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.
“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,” the 59-year-old said in a statement.
“I have always said that there is no greater honour than leading my national team, and that I cannot have a more important, more responsible, and more beautiful job than this.
“The support in recent days has prompted me to reconsider my decision to leave, but... it’s about time. 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.”
Sources: FIFA Official
