​Zagreb, Croatia (AP) — Zlatko Dalić has stepped down as Croatia’s head coach after guiding the national team to two straight top-three finishes at the World Cup. In a statement released by the Croatian Football Federation on Instagram on Wednesday, Dalić said, “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.” The move followed Croatia’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the World Cup round of 32, which occurred less than a week earlier.
“I have always said that there is no greater honor than leading my national team, and I cannot have a more important, more responsible, and more beautiful job than this,” Dalić added. He noted that recent support had prompted him to reconsider his decision to step away, but ultimately felt the time had come. “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.”
The federation described Dalić’s tenure as an “unforgettable journey” and said his departure marked a “proud farewell.” In a post on X, the federation stated: “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 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.”
During Dalić’s leadership, Croatia’s so‑called golden generation, anchored by star Luka Modrić, rose to a runners‑up finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and secured third place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The team also finished as runners‑up in the 2023 Nations League. The federation did not announce a successor at this time.