HNS have announced today that Zlatko Dalić is no longer the head coach of the Croatian national team.
The end of the greatest era in the history of the Vatreni. The end of the most successful coaching tenure Croatia has ever seen.
Dalić leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered forever:
Second place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Third place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Second place at the 2023 UEFA Nations League
His record as Croatia manager:
111 matches
62 wins
20 draws
29 losses
It may end with a heartbreaking final defeat, but Dalić’s achievements are nothing short of greatness. He transformed Croatia into a consistent force on the world stage and delivered some of the greatest moments in the history of the Vatreni.
From the unforgettable World Cup run in Russia in 2018 to another podium finish in Qatar four years later, Dalić created a legacy that will forever be remembered by Croatians around the world.
“I leave with a full heart, proud to have contributed to the greatest achievements in the history of Croatian football. I wish my successor, the Croatian national team, and Croatian football many more successes, and I truly believe those successes will come,” Zlatko Dalić concluded. (HNS)
A legendary chapter of Croatian football comes to an end. Zlatko Dalić will forever be remembered as one of the greatest figures in the history of Croatian sport.
Hvala ti za sve, legendo
Bilic had a lots of up and downs with the national team. When he started after that 2006 World Cup and that was the third tournament in a row we didn’t qualify out of the group. We did have a difficult group with Brazil, Australia and Japan. That Euro 2008 we absolutely soared. We knocked out England on their home turf and doing it twice. After we beat Germany that had a young Schweinsteiger, Gomez, Lahm and other legends. That loss to Turkey will forever haunt me because I think we would’ve beaten Germany again and then played Spain the final. Then we don’t qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Despite that, they kept him and rightfully so because we made Euros two years later and had Italy and Spain in our group. Our players received recognition and we made a statement despite not making it out of the group. He should’ve stayed and Stimac was an absolute disaster. I don’t think Kovac was that bad of a choice and since leaving the national team he’s been successful in the bundesliga. I do have faith in Bilic and it sounds like he will be the next coach.
We have two months to shuffle the deck and bring some new faces to the squad. Spain and England will both be major tests. Start the youngsters and Modric, Perisic, Kramaric, Budimir, etc can finally leave. They did their part. Mandzukic, Subasic, Corluka did it at the right time after 2018.
All this talk of Modric staying makes no sense. What’s the point of making a change if nothing changes? Move on, rip the bandaid off. It’s time move on from the senior players!
Stanisic
Gvardiol
Sutalo
Valincic
Baturina
Kova
P. Sucic
Segecic
Matanovic
Stojkovic
Jaga , L sucic, Ivanovic , Vuskovic
We are deep enough move on please!
Keeping Modric is 1st step
He can then convince Broz Rakitic Lovren Vida
He’ll tell them ur younger than Luka so u have no choice
Run it back to 2018 in 2026!
While they shouldnt come back, future teams should learn a lot from 18 team. Dejan, Rebic, mario, sime were fouling constantly. Everyone was running non stop. Typically for 90+ minutes. Maybe it matters..
Bilic has just over 2 months b4 Nations League (I’m sure he’s going to get rid of the dumb standby list stuff 2 weeks in advance)
Anonymous can’t wait to see who he invites 100% he drops some existing squad – but more interesting is which players not currently called up that’s he been watching that he wants to call
Hey Bilic – Jaga next friendly Saturday Grasshoppers 😊
As long as the fire still burns and we are true, we have a chance. I say no foreign high paid coaches ever. 100% Croatian. Continue to pull the coaches out of the financial struggling masses, with their flames burning , and keep paying them pennies on the dollar. If it doesn’t work, so be it. People need to go abroad if it becomes about financial reward.
If your here for the top pay money, like Zlatko, don’t let the door hit your gazica . Money is money. Zlatko je zlato. Hopefully he enjoys leading the Quran blessing prayer as the go out on to the field. It is just business now for him, until he masses his deserved material wealth on earth, he will come home, and bless us with his presence.
I think croatia still have a strong team and I respect Dalic for his results. 2018 is one out best 12 to 15 players we ever had generation wise
2022 Lakaka saved us and we made a run with smart knockout football.
Dalic Had luck on his side for most part of his 111 games in charge
2018 he kept an injured suba start ajme what could have been.
Euro2021 Bad lineup choices
2022 V Argentina should have played low bunker not go at those cigici.
2024 Terrible lineup choices
2026 again going in the tournament he didnt have a starting 11
Bilić wish him luck this time he really didnt have it in his 6 years
Tukey 2008
Wc Jar 2010 our team pool was not great you can aruge with me but the hnl was poor and injuries and no luck
Euro 2012 he kind of set up the golden era he introducing us to sime new olayer who would lead the way to 2018 wc.
I think this time if luck is on jis side nane can shock at euro 2028
I think modrics silence does not mean no announcement is coming
It is quite likely that he would want to give dalic his moment in the sun for appreciation and not overshadow with his own announcement
As I’ve said time and time again though, any regular person would retire from the national time, but luka is not regular
He really likes soccer and he always thinks he can win.
He didn’t leave that field against Portugal saying “man i just dont have it anymore”
He left that tournament feeling they couldve won it and they got robbed… as crazy a take as the former is
He watches these remaining games and stews thinking it should be him
He looks at nations league and carries that feeling that they can win it
Aint that what makes Modric great? such a desire to compete – 6 Champions leagues (tie for most ever) and he played a big part in almost all of them
What an ambassador for Croatia – he became a legend and one of the most loved players across all countries and teams
Last week, this site (and a few others) announced that Modrić and Dalić would be announcing this week they’d be leaving. I know Luka’s on vacation, but clearly he’s not ready to go and the “announcement” from someone close to Luka was wrong.
I don’t agree with fellow fans that him stepping away would be better for growth for the younger prospects. Is he REALLY slowing down the growth of someone immature like Luka Sučić? If I see another game where we’re at 0-0 in a Euro qualifier against someone like Malta and Modrić is on the bench and we have to trot him out again in the 70th minute to save points, I’m going to scream.
What is nice about Bilic he has had such underappreciated and relatively little success around the world in coaching, so Croatia is about the only one who wants him, so he is perfect.
He won’t be presenting an offer he received of $15,000,000 every year from some Saudi King asking them to match. He has run his cycle of becoming the next famous global coach outside his home country, as we all dream ourselves to be.
The most important thing for a Croatia coach, is that he is not too successful to want too much money, or that for love of country he is willing to be paid below market value. Dalic didn’t fit that mode, he was pushing the HNS to have them pay him what he was “worth”, or close too what he was worth. He still would have liked to stay home.
The was a bit if Realist Secular Materialism, even with Dalic, he had a lexicon of conflicting belief systems to survive in this world.
Ironically, what I loved most about Dalic was dedication to the Conservative Croatian Catholic Culture he brought to the National team. That will be gone with Bilic.
Dalic will be now going to the middle east, where that will not be appreciated. It will be business only for him. Make 30 -40 million over three years, and then most likely come home.
With that amount of money he might be sated for life , and be able to make sub $5 million moving forward.
The saga moves on.
I think Bilić has something to prove.
Dalić doesn’t.
They’re in the same ball park in terms of coaching skills, so it’s not a big risk to go with Bilić.
The bigger risk is to go with an inexperienced coach like Olić, or an overly emotional one like Tudor or Bjelica (even though I like Bjelica as a coach).
But if Dalić stayed, he absolutely would have just stuck with Duje, Šutalo, Pongračić and 90 minutes of Modrić (then have to make last minute changes during the Euro2028 tournament because he didn’t test them during qualifiers).
In a strange way, I agree that Bilić’s lack of major success outside of the National Team makes him available (assuming they come to terms on a deal).
He would be more willing to take feedback from assistants where Zlatko was very set in his way on what the lineup would be even if it resulted in a scoreless first half.
I wonder if his return will make him more mature (we’ll find out). Although being a great interviewer in a podcast doesn’t make someone a great coach, he did make people like Zlatan and Djokovic crack a bit from the usual selves they portray in interviews. He seemed to always have good people skills as a coach.
What I liked from his first tenure with the team is 90% of the times you could figure out what his starting lineup would be. If guys didn’t work out, you knew there was a rhyme or reason.
Win or lose, As long as we stay “Croatian” or Culturally near Croatia, Kek, I am fine. Want to win or lose 100% croatian. Would love to try out some of Maminjo Dark Horse Choices one day.
Bilic had an incredible first season with West Ham finishing 7th on 62 points.
Dalić will rightfully go down as a legend. I am grateful for his tenure.
Bilić would be my favourite to replace him. Aside from win %, he was unafraid to integrate young players, which we will need for this transition to work out. He developed some of our best at the u21 level, and gave them serious PT at the senior level early on. We definitely underachieved under his leadership, but, like Dalić, I’m not so quick to blame his tactics. He was a good motivator, and IIRC, a fair bit more aggressive than Dalić. He’s had a lot of time to improve since he was our manager, and I like that the Turkey loss still stings him. This is not too big for him. If it happens, I will be content.
I believe modric is still one of best 11 players
So if we had to win a World Cup game tomorrow, I’d definitely want him on the field
If we want the best odds of winning a game at euro 2028, it likely doesn’t include him, at least not as a starter
So at this point, if he is going to remain a starter, i favor him retiring so as to not take away from the development of other players
If he is willing to transition to 30 minutes off the bench, I think that would be great as he would still provide the culture presence in the lockeroom
An under appreciated part of the successful dalic era was just how good an atmosphere around the team. A big part was that modric bought into dalic and the players were of course bought into modric. Continuing that theme would be helpful. Anyone who caused issues was out: kalinic, rebic, jelavic, livaja, l sucic
To come back as full time starter will hurt modrics legacy as croatia gets their butt kicked in nations league
Even though its crazy to stay, modric loves playing so much and constantly thinks he can win, that he might find a 1 year shot at a nations league gold irresistible
The problem with Modrić starting is that it pushes one of Baturina, Sučić or Kova to the bench (like it did against Panama when Dalić opted to keep Sučić on the bench which was a BIG mistake).
This should be our starting midfield trio come these September games, and in preparation for Euro2028 two years later.
I still can’t believe he benched Petar Sučić in that game.
He frequently made head scratching starting lineups but somehow would usually get lucky and pull it out.
Yeah that was bizarre. The thing I kept telling myself was that Dalic must be rotating/resting Sucic for Ghana. I think he expected us to dominate Panama and go into the half up by 2 and wouldn’t need him in the game at all.
I read somewhere in the last few days that if Bilić is named coach, Modrić would consider staying on. Perišić has already proclaimed that he’s not leaving and Kramarić (injuries and all) has also said he’s not retiring. How does everyone feel about this?
I’m ok with Perišić staying, albeit on a short leash.
I’m ok with Modrić staying, as long as it’s as a locker room/come off the bench type guy.
Unfortunately, I think that Kramarić has to be let go.
They would all need to transition to off the bench guys in the near future. Kramarić is fine for 30 minutes as a secondary striker. Like Luka, his game has never been about speed. He went through this cycle with a significant knock and he’s still a contributor for club. Until that changes, he’s a nice option to have, however near the bottom of the rotation.
Kramaric spot should be taken by either Sucic/Baturina. I was thinking about what we would have looked like at this WC if one of them had to sit so Krama could play.
Typically Dalić would shoehorn him in, but he even rotated Marco or Vlasic on the right side.
I’m curious if it was Dalić recognizing that Sucic/Baturina was better or that he could tell Krama wasn’t healthy enough to start. Krama should be a bench/role player at this point.
For Krama to announce a surgery right after this campaign ended tells me that health forced Dalic hand.
Bilic with Terzic as assistant would be perfect
The other way around
Splitin’ hairs at some point?
I think manager is more about being a man manager and figure head. Terzic is a good coach so as assistant he can advise Bilic on tactics and work with the players. Bilic takes the heat
We need jakirovic to stay at Hull and sign me and anonymous favourite players
I don’t think modric is cut out to be manager. Definitely not yet. He is a guy focused on his gsme. he will need at least couple of years after retiring to miss football and start looking at different aspects of the game before he is ready to return as a manager.
Bilic is the perfect guy for a new generation. Great at making skillful players feel good about themselves and playing with freedom and confidence.,it’s what we need right now. Especially with tough nations league coming up. Need Bilic positivity. See how far he takes us. Eventually with Bilic the performances drop off as he lacks tactical acumen and players get tired of hearing the same thing. Then bring in a more sophisticated tactical coach.
Hvala Zlatko 🙏🏻
Player coach Luka for euro? Him playing at Milan this year will tell us alot now
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_FIFA_Series
And lets not forget this feather in Dalic’s hat! lol
Gold is gold 😁
Akter iz reprezentativnog miljea prenio nam je iz Orlanda gdje su Vatreni u ožujku bili na turniru kako “gleda Dalića koji čita što se piše o njemu i plače”
####
If this is true (or just more BS) – it suggests Dalic is guilt of whatever he was reading – if u read u have a mistress and a bastard kid and it’s not true – a NORMAL reaction is to ANGRY – not cry – and get ur lawyers to file a libel suit against the newspaper and seek a retraction that same day, etc
But crying ? That would only be someone who was guilty of what they read and their conscious caught up to them – that there is nowhere to hide
It is telling that Dalic never filed libel suits against any newspaper/journalist
Which begs the question – how much of what they wrote about him wasn’t actually true ?
Who cares?…
Nothing good on Jaga’s girls Insta today?
Bilic in just under 6 years as our manager had a 64.61 win percentage.
Very impressive. Can’t help but I think he’s a better manager now too.
Dalic in just under 9 years, a 64.10 win percentage.
I’m all for giving Slaven another shot.
Brooo Dalić had to play the likes of France, England, Portugal in Nations league …
Bilic was playing minnows countries in Friendlies to boost that winning percentage
You’re comparing apples and oranges …
Bilić might actually have a better record against top teams.
In competitive games, he went 2W-2L against England, 1W-0L against Germany, drew Italy, and lost 0-1 to Spain in that BS Euro2012 game.
Smaller sample but not a bad record at all.
https://www.index.hr/mobile/sport/clanak/pitali-smo-vas-tko-treba-naslijediti-dalica-imamo-uvjerljivog-pobjednika/2811459.aspx?index_ref=rubrika_sport_prva_m
Index made a poll for people to vote on the next manager. 1. Bilic. 2. Sergej Jakirovic 3. Modric . If you scroll down you see the poll and the other manager / solutions rankings.
Dalic had results. That’s why he was there for 3 WC’s. He lost in a World Cup final under dubious circumstances and finished 3rd in another didn’t do much at the Euros and got to a Nation’s League final to lose to Spain. I don’t think he was a great tactician or even a great player manager. He had his favorites and other players not within his circle had a difficult time getting a spot regardless of their club form.
Regardless he did pretty well and it’s time for a change.
I would love to see how the top 10 posters/ retired players @ Crotian Sports.com @ a salary of $200,000 each, as an assembled coaching team committee would fare.
My guess, you all collectively would do better they any other super ego-ed option out there currently, that want $ 2,500,000 minimum to start discussions.
A great Trading Places sequel to be made.
Hvala za sve Zlatko!
Classy guy.
What he may have lacked in tactical awareness or team selections he made up for with his character.
Thanks for the memories.
You deserve a statue!
I’m with Josip. Could not close out games and never felt that he was coaching the game vs the game just happening and lots of praying for a win. We can keep the praying but let’s get someone technically superior who can develop kids. I’d say that is the top imperative for a resume and someone who can prove they developed young players. My gut says Bilic gets it and he’ll go for alot more speed and guys who can run at all positions. Interesting to see how Kova, Perisic and other oldies but goodies fit in. I say Bilic goes full turn with kids and tears the bandage off.
The one thing about Dalic I’m taking away is the late game collapses. Always something. Always barely holding a lead to watch it evaporate in the last, final seconds.
The other thing was failure to open up. Down by a goal, and not able to press. The opposite would happen where the opposition just went through and scored again. Or even just tied. No pressing into the final third at all.
The one thing I feel Dalic did do was showcase the Croatian spirit and heart. My friend who accompanied me to the World Cup still is having a hard time figuring Croatians out. My friend is having a harder time trying to also figure out how a nation of less than 4 million produces top flight talent in many sports; including soccer.
As bad as some games were, it was nice going into these games not having a fear that they were a blowout before they began.
In previous WCs, the feeling was there of never going to the knockout stage. These past three WCs, that feeling wasn’t there. But then I can’t explain the total breakdowns in the Euros.
I wish Dalic luck and I hope the correct coach is found for the NT.
Unfair to blame Dalic for every goal conceded
Portugal – it’s not Dalic’s fault Stanisic didn’t go to close Leao (Porro completely shut him down and Porro isn’t a great defender) and three CBs covering one guy for the cross and none of them take ownership on the field
Everyone blaming Dalic for everything – but blame lies for a lot with the players on the field
Anonymous favourite Bilic
March 24, 2007
Bilic decides to bench Srna first half Macedonia
Not sure why – maybe he snuck out to get drunk again with Olic and Balaban?
But brought Darijo on at HT – and Srna was so pissed at being benched for 45 – that he ran full speed for 45 minutes – it lit such a fire under his ass – he was incredible – probably Anonymous too 5 favourite 45 for the NT – Srna was incredible !!!
He of course scored a beautiful free kick goal and assisted Eduardo winning goal
Croatia 2-1 win
Do u understand how difficult it is to manage someone as emotional and somewhat unstable as Srna ?
Bilic got it spot on
The rest is history – Srna never stepped out of line ever again in his career and gave 110% every game
Thank you Bilic for saving Srna from himself !
Luv u Srna ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Gospodin Dalić. Sve najbolje tebi i tvoju obitelj. Neka te Bog blagoslovi.
Hvala za sve.
We will miss you.
Bog i Hrvati
PS. A foreign coach would be a disaster. Our mentality and temperament, would be mystifying to anyone who’s not Cro.
I mean it’s not most Croatian coaches were able to handle Livaja, Rebic, Kalinic, etc
We could have lost Srna (love u!), Olic and Balaban in 2006 when they snuck up to get drunk at a Zagreb nightclub – Bilic suspended them for a game – and reeled them back in to commit the NT – no more issues from them
Bilic also was able to get into Mandzukic head and get him focused on the NT and his career – Mario was the craziest and crazier than Livaja Rebic and Kalinic combined
Hire anonymous to lead the Croatians
Why haven’t Brighton announced Vuskovic signing, his #, BTS, interview
Nothing !
Issue with medical ?????
Hvala Dalić. Thanks for the memories.
The selections for our next coach are very slim picking. Besides Tudor and Bilic, who else do we have to select? Bilic didn’t have that much of a successful coaching career with West Ham United, He did bring them to two Europa leagues and a seventh place finish in 2015-2016. No champions leagues, trophies, etc. He was most successful in the Turkish league. Is it time to consider an international coach?
If we’re sticking with hiring a Croatian coach, then it’s always going to be slim pickings because the available good ones will currently be employed with others (like Terzić and Jakirović).
What’s interesting is Croatian coaches are one extreme or another
Tudor, Stimac – think they are Gotovina barking orders at everyone
Vs
Bilic, Jakirovic – outstanding people person – knows how to communicate to players to get the beat out of them – strong psychology skills
Bilic podcasts interview were some of the best psychology skills I’ve ever seen – he knows exactly what to say and buttons to press to release the emotions he desires from them
He almost made Zlatan cry – first time in Zlatan life he was about to break character – but Bilic read he took it too far and reeled it right back in to give him and out
100/10 psychology skills Bilic based on those podcasts – amongst the best I’ve ever seen
Hire REGRAGUI he’s available
LMAO
West Ham got relegated this year
And Bilic sucks bc he only had them compete in Europa twice lol
Beyond harsh
I am left with many great memories.
A legendary coach. A legendary Croatian.
Nothing but respect for this man. And admiration for what he accomplished.
Thank you, Zlatko!
If Olic gets appointed
At least we can all stop watching the NT until he gets fired
There’s that
Please God no Olic!
Now they saying Kranjcar !!!
BahahahahahahH
Anonymous about Olić – word lol
Most people would not leave $10,000,000 on the table like he did in the past. If he gets close to the $12,000,000 Qatar offer again, his family will be set, after just a single year’s effort of work. He sets up a legacy fund for all of his future descendants. It would have taken him another 6 seasons to make that much in Croatia. By the time he made $12,000,000, the money would only be worth $8,000,000, plus no one writing libel articles about you and your family.
Coach Dalic will be missed for the stability he gave to the team. It helped to have Modric and Perisic behind him. But he accomplished things that other countries continue to dream about every year. Coach Dalic had his detractors but he gave us memories we will cherish. Viva Zlatko! Bilic (if he is to be the coach) had his moments and hopefully he has learned from some of his mistakes.
I hope if its Billic he improves our defence plus as he speaks perfect English put more heat on FiFA=FixItForArgentina.
You mean ThiefA🤣
It would be funny if Mamic trolled Bilic by demanding he call up Sammir (now that Sammir is back to playing football again)
You mean Noah Sammir his 16 y/on son ?
Another perfect DEI name for 2028 – the list is long – we only need one of them !
I will miss the year-to-year stability that Dalic provided, albeit with the vocal pledged expressed support of Modric fully backing him, when he was having troubles with the likes of Rebic, Kalinic, and Livaja.
Without Modric, those individual personnel problems might have reappeared for Dalic post Modric era.
If it really was adultery, he wouldn’t have waited until after the WC to leave. Apparently, money was the last hurdle and HNS wouldn’t meet it. Beyond disgraceful that SN would mention a rumor with no proof. I’d be filing a lawsuit right now if I were him.
I find some of his comments in Monday’s interview interesting such as his admission about going with a 3-man backline being a mistake, coming from someone who rarely admits faults. We were never able to duplicate the chemistry we had in the WC qualifiers even though it was an admittedly easy group.
In the same interview, he mentions the obvious lack of speed even in comparison
to other European teams. You would think the follow-up question would be “Then why didn’t Marco Pašalić play in the final match?”
The “speed” thing is a weird comment for me.
I don’t think we really need speed as much as we simply needed to stop hesitating, press forward, and and actually make some forward passes.
Portugal has speed and we were the better team in that game because guys like Sucic, Baturina, Matanovic and even Kovacic were pressing forward aggressively.
When you have technical ability like we do, we don’t really need “speed” as much as you need to just push forward and head for goal.
I personally was shocked at how well Kovacic played against Portugal, and how many runs he made toward their box and how his passes were NOT actually backwards passes.
I think Petar Sucic and Baturina are both hardwired to press forward. So is Luka Sucic (and probably guys like Stojkovic and Jagusic) so I am looking forward to seeing how this team plays with that mentality.
with regards to kovacic, man he is a stud with the ball…very talented dribbler….he needs to press forward more in the final 3rd…he can at the least get penalties in the box with his skill on the ball….looking forward to a midfield of P.Sucic, Baturina and Kovacic….
He had a killer instinct against Portugal that I have rarely seen. If he plays like that going forward and takes over Luka’s role, we’re in pretty good shape.
He was aggressive and actually had some heat on his shots.
I watched him play a great deal in the Premier League. He is an excellent footballer, who regularly competes at the highest level in the top league in the world. Incredibly talented.
He had six goals for Manchester City in 2024-25 before being hammered with injuries in the 2025-26 season. While it might not be his primary role, he can clearly score goals. I believe he was just rounding into form, and would have been even better against Spain. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
I have found it surprising, and I say this with great respect, just how many people here are quick to dismiss his talent and abilities. He is a world class midfielder.
Kova is one of the best. Those who know know.
Kova score 2 goals in a Euro 2024 qualifier v Turkey. Showed his attacking ability running at top of box. Also scored 2 in a Nations league loss to Portugal on Nov 17 2020.
If you look at the way Jude Bellingham just shredded us on the right side, we really don’t have anyone remotely with that dribbling ability that another team is going to fear on the wings.
I believe it’s one of the many reasons we’ve had an incredible number of 0-0 games at halftime since the 2018 WC.
In that final press conferences, I wish questions such as “Why did it take until the 2nd half of the 4th game of the World Cup for Kovačić to go forward?” were asked. Portugal wasn’t prepared for it and that’s why he hit the post and had another saved over the crossbar.
He’s done everything he’s could for what we had. In the nine years we had him, the team and the fans were spoiled. Nobody thought we would make a World Cup final..we surprised the doubters. It’s a new generation beginning and it’s happening now.
Unfortunately the under 16 team lost to Spain 3-0. It’s unfortunate because winning a youth title would make us stand out. We haven’t one anything for any team yet.
Sorry under 19 team
I’d argue we won the ’87 youth world cup.
It would be great to go back to this board in the early 2010s and read the venom pointed at bilic
Croatians will always complain
As for that euro and wc record. Spain expected loss – loss, Albania expected win – tie, Italian expected loss – tie. Wc England expected loss-loss, Panama expected win -win, Ghana expected win- win, Portugal expected loss -loss.
It’s kind of par for the course
since 2022 world cup……
3 games at Euros…two ties, one loss
4 games at World Cup….two losses, two wins
seven matches and two wins….time to go
we can thank him. but time to move on and see what is next. wont be easy.
It was time for him to go. He went backwards because of him after 2018. He got credit for things he had nothing to do with . He failed to prepare us for Euro 2021 and 2024. Failed to fix Defensive Set-Pieces, late game collapse and our defense line. failed to bring in desperately needed younger guys to the squad . A lot of other stuff . He made a lot of money and I suspect had he gotten the coaches job he wanted he never would of been coach for Euro 2024. The team needed a change , Slaven did well , and I always felt he was sabotaged by forces inside the savez . Could you imagine if Mamic was still around ? Coaching and management is another reason why our team has not been successful . I am hoping that Musa gets better and I have good feeling Igor Matanovic has the potential to be a huge star. I felt it in the Portugal game. We left guys behind who could of been a huge help. I am praying they all get better and grow. WE have the potential with the right roster to win Euro . Nations league is coming and its a good test for this new generation. I did not trust Dalic to build that new generation . Hopefully things will get better
Like all voices…Over a decade it becomes stale. He is bowing out at the right time. Phenomenal achievements in the world cup in 18 and 22 and Fifa cheated us from competing until the end in this turnir. Fantastic results in Nations League. He had very poor Euro results.
Slaven Bilic is best for the brand. Give him a 2 year run into Euro 2028. He is a wonderful motivator. Great with the media. We need to integrate younger legs like Vuskovic and perhaps even a Segecic if he continues to excel. Insure P. Sucic, Gvardiol and Baturina become our leaders. Lots to look forward to.
Funny enough saw these rumours months ago and didn’t think much of it, but given that they’re being brought up again now and given so much attention, maybe there was some truth to it lol…
https://www.jutarnji.hr/sportske/nogomet/zlatko-dalic-odlazi-nakon-3131-dan-radi-obitelji-i-pritisaka-15725975
If he is leaving for these reasons that is very, very sad. Never knew he was getting this treatment from his own country. I don’t blame him for leaving. Never heard about this before.
I’d try and pray Terzic away from Athletic Bilbao
This was someone the HNS should have reached out to BEFORE he signed a deal with Bilbao in May.
Very poor planning and due diligence by the HNS to just make an offer to Dalic, get turned down, and just sit on their hands for several months until after the World Cup to make a decision (with far fewer options available now).
Look at Portugal.
Once Martinez failed to qualify them for the quarters, they announced that they weren’t extending him and they had Jorge Jesus already lined up in case things went south.
We literally had two great coaching options (Terzic and Kek) available in May and the HNS just stood by without even reaching out to them as a Plan B if Dalic chose to leave.
They don’t want to go for the money
Terzic is too young to coach the NT – it was never realistic – he wants to make his bag (5-10m p.a. Is the range I’ve seen for his Athleti salary)
If he continues to do well he can do NT in 10 years
It’s just to early for him now (I mean from a make ur bag perspective)
This isn’t a slight on him – if anything should make us respect him more – he’s putting his future and family first
Kek on the other hand was there
I agree with you a lot of the time, but c’mon, it’s been 1 week since we were eliminated. You can’t accuse the HNS of sitting on their hands for “several months” already.
Jorge Jesus hasn’t been announced by Portugal. He’s the PFP’s “preffered choice”.
Although it might be true, how can you declare that they didn’t reach out to Terzic or Kek? Are they your friends? Plus, I would never want a non-Croat in charge.
Do better Maminjo………
Cacic was the worst, but he could get your broken down Vizio 42 inch good as new. Zlatko , good luck in your new gig, time for a change . HNS wasn’t going to pay him , they need to feed themselves first at the trough and if there wasn’t anything left over , it wasn’t going to Dali baby.
Cacic wasn’t the worst.
That’s just something people like to say, and it caught on and now everyone says it (along with the whole ‘tv repairman’ moniker).
Stimac and Kovac were far worse. Stimac had the worst results, and we played very poorly under Kovac (probably our worst style in the Modric era). Obviously we were poorer under Jozic and Baric, but the talent level available to those two coaches wasn’t as great as what was available for Stimac and Kovac.
Cacic did well in Euro2016 (we were the talk of the tournament), but things fell apart in WC2018 qualifying. He wasn’t great, but was better than Stimac and Kovac.
We would have won euro had we had a competent coach . The 2008 generation could of been more successful had we a good coach and proper leadership inside the Savez
For me Niko kovac and Stimac Cacic are our worst coaches had basicially this same core even younger and didnt do shit where as dalic had them in prime and alttile past and got 2 medals
But No Modric for the next coach who ever that is but we need a new identity its rebuild time.
I think future is bright i dont see us falling off the map.
Also one thing so Dalic put words in his own mouth onky fit players will be called so Dcc erlic Krama Gvardiol all out of form and injured
Based on the news commentary leading up to the 3-hour long meeting, sure sounds like it came down to the final compensation package numbers, and it was up to him. It seems in this life, the zlato talks to us all. His primary allegiance like everyman, is to his family and god, no shame in that.
On the bright side, we are starting over, we will now know, if the Dalic era was really an anomaly, based on his singular genius efforts, that we will never recover from, or was it the players actually bubbling up continuously from the home ground spring and diaspora, providing an opportunity for anyone blessed to take the reins, who will work for love of the nation state, and a decent paid relative to the typical Croatian working man.
Let time past before we make him into a deity and put a statue in every Trg on the taxing paying Croatian public. True, the Kranjcar, Bilic, Kovac, Stimac, and Cacic were some very lean years. Let’s see where we go from here. One variable that the next generational coach won’t have is Modric in his prime, so it is hard to compare Apples to Apples, and ever really know cause and effect, although time shall tell.
I still ideally would like to make it more of a committee based coaching staff rather going from one big ego to the next, really only wanting a big cash out compensation package, ready to leave to the biggest non-Catholic cash laden country. Make it a group of guys, with the main motivation, love of country. There must be a group of people out there.
Personally, if he showed loyalty to Croatia for a decent pay compensation comparative to the average Croatian, I would have kept him and maybe even put a statute in his hometown.
Is it money or something else that they won’t hire a foreigner to coach our team.
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2074849087568900172?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Modric staying for another year at Milan
You would think it wouldn’t come to that … people spreading rumors and misinformation about Dalić to get him to leave …
Sad 😔
He is a legend in my books. Great man. Thank you Zlatko.
If I had to bet the rumours aren’t true. No way you can keep that under wraps. All the yugo scum hate Dalić and what he stands for, and want to see him fail. If true they would be all over this.
I think change is good as we need someone not loyal to old players. We need best 11 playing, however I’m not thrilled with Bilic. Guy is only coach to not qualify for a tournament to me Bilic isn’t an upgrade.
Now we know who was clutching his rosemary beads.
Those who claim to be the biggest Catholics and loudest about the familija are the biggest liars.
I have no idea about Dalic. But this is pro sports. Almost all of them have other women. And their wives all know about it.
You have no idea about Dalic, but you just rolled with the accusations of a mistress and extramarital child and are implying that Dalic being the biggest Catholic and loudest about the familja makes him a liar.
No, but their failures look worse.
Every coach/manager, no matter how good, eventually reaches his best before date. Dalić expired long ago. Nobody can take away what was accomplished on his watch. With that being said, I’ve always believed that all that was achieved was not because of him, but in spite of him. I welcome Bilić’s return and feel that he’s perfect for this team. I also understand that that you must be careful what you wish for, as Olić could be his replacement.
Would be nice to see him in a different role within Croatian football (not as coach) rather than him going off to the Middle East somewhere (unless he can get some team into giving him a monster deal where he gets himself a $20 million contract).
Not sure if true or not but just read on Sporski Novesti
It seems he would have stayed and have the energy and ambition to stay on and lead the next generation…
But he made the decision due to family reasons…
Sporske Novesti was saying his family couldn’t deal with the rumours/ bullshit of Dalić have a mistress in Split and child out of wedlock …
So for family reasons, to save his family, he resigned (one of the reasons… Sporski Novesti was saying ..
The story was he had a mistress with a the varazdin tourist chairwoman.
So did he bang outside his marriage or not ?
Does he have a kid out of wedlock or not ?
Hopefully not – otherwise his “family first” “values” etc goes OUT THE WINDOW
What he means by family is the team is a family. As far as screwing around on your wife that is completely acceptable in sports. The truth is Dalic was a nobody that got famous in short period of time. Of course he’s going to take advantage of his status. Look at his restaurant.
Legend.