Zlatko Dalic has left the Croatian national team after nine years on the job

Croatia's national football team has officially been left without a head coach. Following the end of the team's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, Zlatko Dalić announced his departure after leading the national side for almost nine years.

The coach had been in charge of the Vatreni since October 2017 and became the most successful manager in the history of the Croatian national team. During his tenure, the team achieved its greatest international successes, reaching the World Cup podium on two occasions.

Under Dalić, Croatia sensationally reached the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where it lost to France and claimed the silver medals. Four years later, at the World Cup in Qatar, Croatia once again demonstrated its quality by winning the bronze medal after defeating Morocco in the third-place match.

Another major achievement was reaching the final of the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League. Croatia lost to Spain only in a penalty shootout, earning the tournament's silver medals for the first time in its history.

However, Dalić's final World Cup ended in disappointment. At the 2026 tournament, Croatia was eliminated in the Round of 32 after losing 2-1 to Portugal. Following the end of the competition, the coach decided to bring his time with the national team to a close.

Reflecting on nearly nine years in charge, Dalić admitted that he had never imagined the heights the team would reach together.

“When I took charge of the national team, I believed in my players and in myself. But I could never have dreamed that in almost nine years we would achieve all of this,” Dalić said.

During his tenure, the Croatian coach not only guided the national team to the greatest achievements in its history but also built a side that remained among the strongest teams in world football for several years. Croatia has not yet officially announced who will become the new head coach.