Zlatko Dalić has concluded his tenure as the head coach of the Croatian national football team, stepping down after guiding the squad to two consecutive top-three finishes in the FIFA World Cup.
The Croatian Football Federation announced Dalić's departure on Wednesday, with the coach expressing his gratitude for his time leading the team. "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," Dalić stated in a message shared by the federation.
His decision comes less than a week after Croatia's 2-1 loss to Portugal in the round of 32 at the World Cup. Despite recent support prompting him to reconsider, Dalić felt it was the appropriate moment to end his chapter with the national team. "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," he said.
Under Dalić's leadership, Croatia achieved significant results, including a runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a third-place finish at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The team also secured a runner-up position in the 2023 Nations League.
The federation lauded Dalić's nearly nine-year stint as an "unforgettable journey" and a "proud farewell." The federation acknowledged his coaching achievements and the respect he garnered from players, staff, and opponents alike.
No immediate announcement was made regarding Dalić's successor.