Zlatko Dalic leaves Croatia post after World Cup exit

Zlatko Dalic has stepped down as head coach of the Croatia national football team, ending a nearly nine-year tenure that saw the nation reach unprecedented heights. The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) announced his departure on July 8, 2026, days after a 2-1 extra-time loss to Portugal in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup Source: excelsiormx.

The decision

Dalic's exit was widely expected after the defeat in Dallas. In his post-match press conference, he admitted the result marked the "end of an era" Source: excelsiormx. The HNS released a statement thanking him for his "incredibly successful chapter," highlighting his humble beginnings and proud farewell Source: infobae. Dalic himself described the decision as the most difficult of his career, saying, "The role of a coach requires many difficult decisions, but this was certainly the most complicated for me" Source: emolcl.

Legacy and context

Under Dalic, Croatia enjoyed a golden generation: runners-up in 2018, third place in 2022, and a Nations League final appearance. He is the 12th coach to leave a post during the 2026 tournament, joining a list that includes Ronald Koeman, Julian Nagelsmann, and Javier Aguirre Source: emolcl. The departure coincides with the international retirement of captain Luka Modric, who played his fifth World Cup Source: excelsiormx.

What's next

Potential successors include Igor Tudor, Nenad Bjelica, and Niko Kovac Source: emolcl. Unconfirmed reports link Dalic to a coaching role in the United Arab Emirates .