Zlatko Dalic is out as Croatia’s head coach. The Croatian Football Federation confirmed the news on Monday, saying the 59 year old stepped down after the team’s early exit from the World Cup. Croatia lost to Portugal in the round of 32, a result that ended their tournament much sooner than anyone expected.
Dalic took over in October 2017. He had never been the flashiest hire. But what he did in the months after that was something else entirely. He led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, where they lost to France. Four years later, they finished third in Qatar. That bronze medal made them the smallest nation by population to medal in back to back World Cups since 1930.
The federation posted a farewell on X. They called his tenure “an unforgettable journey” and thanked him for “the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect.” It was a long list, and it was earned.
The numbers back up the legacy
Dalic won more than half of his matches in charge. That alone puts him in rare company for Croatia. But the federation’s statement went beyond stats. They noted the respect he earned from players, staff and opponents. That part matters because Dalic never had the easiest job. Croatia’s population is around 4 million. They constantly punch above their weight, and Dalic was the guy holding the gloves.
He arrived quietly in 2017, replacing Ante Cacic. At the time, Croatia had just barely qualified for the World Cup. Dalic stabilized things almost immediately. He got the best out of a golden generation that included Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic. Modric went on to win the Ballon d’Or in 2018, a direct reflection of the team’s success under Dalic.
What happens next for Croatia
The federation has not named a replacement yet. There’s no obvious candidate waiting in the wings. Croatia still has a strong core of players. Modric is 40 now but still playing at a high level. Younger guys like Josko Gvardiol and Lovro Majer are ready to carry the load. But replacing Dalic won’t be easy. He set a standard that will be hard to match.
Dalic’s exit feels like the end of a specific era. Not just for the national team but for Croatian football as a whole. The federation said it best. A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell.
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