Zlatko Dalić celebrates eight years leading Croatian team

Zlatko Dalić marked eight years as head coach of the Croatian national football team on Tuesday.

Dalić took charge on October 7, 2017, inheriting a struggling side on the verge of missing the World Cup in Russia after Ante Čačić was dismissed following a draw with Finland in Rijeka.

Under Dalić’s leadership, Croatia reached new heights — finishing as World Cup runners-up in 2018, winning bronze in Qatar four years later, and earning silver in the 2023 Nations League.

The team also qualified for both recent European Championships — reaching the round of 16 in 2021, and exiting in the group stage in 2024.

Now 58, Dalić is set to lead Croatia for the 100th time in Prague. His record stands at 55 wins, 19 draws, and 25 losses.

If Croatia qualifies for next year’s World Cup, it will be Dalić’s fifth major tournament — a record among Croatian coaches. Before him, Slaven Bilić and Miroslav “Ćiro” Blažević each led the team at two major competitions.