An era in Croatian football has come to an end as Zlatko Dalić has stepped down as head coach of the Croatia national football team after almost ten years in charge.
Dalić leaves the role after nine years and nine months, during which he transformed Croatia into one of the world’s most respected international teams, winning two FIFA World Cup medals and guiding the national side through five major international tournaments.
He was appointed in October 2017, replacing Ante Čačić at a crucial moment in Croatia’s qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Facing the prospect of missing the tournament, Croatia needed victory away to Ukraine to secure a place in the play-offs. Dalić delivered the result, before leading the team through the play-offs and all the way to the World Cup final in Russia.
Croatia eventually finished runners-up after losing 4-2 to France, securing the country’s greatest achievement in football history with a silver medal.
Dalić followed that success by guiding Croatia to a third-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding another World Cup medal to the nation’s growing football legacy.
He also led Croatia at two editions of the UEFA European Championship. The team reached the round of 16 at Euro 2020 before exiting in the group stage at Euro 2024. Most recently, Croatia’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in the Round of 16.
During his tenure, Dalić took charge of 111 matches, recording 57 victories, 26 draws and 28 defeats, making him one of the most successful and influential coaches in the history of Croatian football.
His departure closes one of the most successful chapters ever written by the Croatian national team, leaving behind a legacy that includes historic World Cup achievements and nearly a decade of consistency on the international stage.