Zlatko Dalic has resigned as Croatia’s head coach following the team’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 loss to Portugal. Dalic, who led Croatia for nearly nine years, expressed gratitude for the support but felt it was the right time to end his successful era.
In his statement, Dalic acknowledged the exceptional support he received but emphasized that despite his ambition to achieve more with Croatia, he believed it was time to conclude his tenure. His final match in charge ended in disappointment as Portugal secured a late victory, ending Croatia’s hopes of progressing in the tournament.
Reflecting on his time with the national team since 2017, Dalic described managing Croatia as the greatest honor of his career. He expressed pride in the team’s achievements, including reaching the World Cup final in 2018 and securing a third-place finish in Qatar four years later.
Dalic credited the players, staff, and supporters for their contributions to Croatia’s success during his tenure. He thanked everyone involved in the journey, from the federation’s staff to his coaching team, and expressed confidence in Croatia’s future under the leadership of the next generation of players.
