The Croatia Football Association, CFA, has declared that coach of the country’s male national team, Zlatko Dalic, has resigned from his position following the end of the team’s participation at the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
The CFA noted that Dalic put an end to his stint at the club after nine years of handling the side following his emergence at the position in 2017, the football association thanking the 59-year-old for his time with the side and informing that a search has begun for his successor.
”Following nearly nine years, head coach, Zlatko Dalic, has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia,” a statement by the soccer body on Wednesday to confirm the coach’s departure reads.
”Head coach, Thank you for everything, the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect and our unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch.”
The gaffer helped the team to the Round of 32 in the ongoing Edition of the mundial competition after guiding the side to his first World Cup journey with the team in Russia 2018, reaching the final but losing to France.
In the next edition held in 2022, Saudi Arabia, he steered the team to third place, reaching the last 16 stage at the 2020 European Cup, but uncharacteristically bowing out in the group stage in the 2024 edition of the competition, albeit finishing runners-up in the 2023 Nations League.
Captain, Luka Modric, has also almost played his last match in the competition at age 40, and a new era for Croatia is set to begin.