Zlatko Dalic ends nine-year Croatia reign after World Cup last-32 exit to Portugal

Zlatko Dalic has resigned as Croatia head coach after nine years in charge, the Croatian Football Federation confirmed, with his departure coming in the wake of a last-32 World Cup defeat against Portugal.

The 59-year-old was appointed in October 2017 and leaves as arguably the most successful manager in Croatian football history, having won more than half of his matches in charge. His tenure encompassed two extraordinary World Cup runs — a runners-up finish in Russia in 2018 and a third-place result in Qatar in 2022.

The federation announced the news on its official X account with a tribute that underlined the esteem in which Dalic is held. “A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell,” the statement read. “Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalic has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia.”

The federation added: “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.”

Dalic arrived with Croatia in a precarious qualifying position ahead of the 2018 World Cup, yet steered them all the way to the final in Russia, where they were beaten by France. Four years later in Qatar, he guided the side to third place, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure for the national programme.

His exit marks the end of a defining era for Croatian football, and the federation now faces the significant task of finding a successor capable of maintaining the standards Dalic set across nearly a decade at the helm.