Dalic Leaves Croatia After Nine-Year Run

9 Jul 2026

Zlatko Dalic has stepped down as Croatia head coach after nine years in charge, with the decision following their World Cup defeat against Portugal. His tenure brought historic highs and helped define one of the country's most successful eras in international football. Croatia now face a major transition. Dalic's replacement must respect the standards he built while refreshing a squad that has relied on a golden generation for years. The next cycle will test whether Croatia can remain competitive as familiar leaders move on.