🚨 After dramatic World Cup exit, top nation parts with winning coach

In partnership with

OneFootball

·8. Juli 2026

🚨 After dramatic World Cup exit, top nation parts with winning coach

Croatia were dramatically knocked out by Portugal in the round of 32 at the World Cup. A supposed last-minute equalizer was ruled out by VAR. The World Cup exit was a bitter reality for the 2018 runners-up.

Zlatko Dalić’s contract was only valid until the end of the tournament, though an extension was still being considered. The federation made a major effort to keep the 59-year-old. A decision has now been made. The successful coach will not continue.

OneFootball Videos

A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell. Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalić has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with #Croatia. 🥈🥉🥈 Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying
– Mittwoch, 8. Juli 2026

After almost nine years in charge, Dalić is stepping down. With him as national team coach, Croatia finished as World Cup runners-up in 2018, took third place at the 2022 World Cup, and also finished second in the UEFA Nations League in 2023.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Darrian Traynor - 2026 Getty Images