ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) 鈥� Zlatko Dali膰 is out as Croatia’s coach after a spell that included leading the team to two consecutive top-three finishes at World Cups.
鈥淚 leave with a fulfilled heart, proud of my contribution to the greatest successes of Croatian soccer in history, and I wish my successor, the national team and Croatian soccer many new successes,鈥� Dali膰 said in a statement posted by the national soccer federation on on Wednesday.
The announcement came less than a week after Croatia to Portugal in the round of 32 at the .
鈥淚 have always said that there is no greater honor than leading my national team, and that I cannot have a more important, more responsible, and more beautiful job than this,” Dali膰 said.
鈥淭he support in recent days has prompted me to reconsider my decision to leave, but… it鈥檚 about time. As much as I still feel the ambition and desire to write new successes with Croatia, I feel that this is the right moment to conclude this incredible era.鈥�
The federation called Dali膰’s time at the helm an 鈥渦nforgettable journey鈥� and said his departure was a 鈥減roud farewell.鈥�
鈥淔ollowing nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dali膰 has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia,鈥� the federation said on X. “Head coach, thank you for everything 鈥� the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect, and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch.
鈥淭he results speak of your coaching virtues. The respect you鈥檝e earned from your players, staff, and opponents speaks volumes about the person you are.”
Under Dali膰, Croatia’s so-called golden generation, which included star player Luka Modri膰, was runner-up at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and third at the 2022 edition in Qatar. It was also runner-up at the 2023 Nations League.
The federation did not immediately announce a new coach.
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