The most successful coach in the history of the Vatreni continues his career in Asia, leading the United Arab Emirates national team with a record salary and a staff full of familiar Croatian names.
Zlatko Dalić, former head coach of the Croatian national football team, has made his final decision about the next step in his career. After nine years at the helm of the Vatreni, he is taking over the United Arab Emirates national team. The news was confirmed on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, by Sportske novosti, Net.hr, and Slobodna Dalmacija.
Dalić is returning to a country where he already left a deep mark, having led Al Ain from 2014 to 2017. There, he won the league title, the President's Cup, and the Super Cup, and reached the final of the Asian Champions League. This time, however, he is not taking over a club but a national team, fulfilling his previously stated wish.
"First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that working at a club is out of the question. I intend to take over a national team," Dalić previously told Slobodna Dalmacija.
The financial terms are impressive. According to unofficial information from multiple sources, Dalić will earn five million euros a year, excluding bonuses. This makes him the highest-paid Croatian coach in history, and the contract, according to Net.hr, is expected to be signed for four years.
Dalić is not going to the Emirates alone. His coaching staff will include many associates he worked with in the Croatian national team. As reported by Sportske novosti, Net.hr, and Slobodna Dalmacija, these include Vedran Ćorluka, Dražen Ladić, goalkeeper coach Marjan Mrmić, fitness coach Luka Milanović, and analyst Marco Rochon.
There are conflicting reports about Branko Ivanković's role. Some say he will be a "special advisor to the local federation," while Slobodna Dalmacija reports he will take on the role of "technical director of the national team."
The status of Danijel Subašić is also uncertain. While Sportske novosti claim he will be the goalkeeper coach in Dalić's staff, Net.hr and Slobodna Dalmacija point out that it is not yet known whether he will join.
An offer has also been made to Igor Bišćan for the position of head coach of the UAE Olympic (U-23) team, and he is expected to respond by the end of this week.
Dalić is expected to travel to Dubai at the end of August or the beginning of September to sign a multi-year contract with the president of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. He will succeed Romanian Cosmin Olăroiu and become the third Croatian on that bench, after Tomislav Ivić and Srećko Jurčić.
His first major test awaits him at the end of September at the Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia. His debut on the UAE bench is expected to be on September 24, 2026, against Yemen in Jeddah. In the group stage, he will also face Bahrain and Qatar.
"Without false modesty, I will point out that there were more than enough offers. I will make a decision about the new national team helm very soon, because I want to start the new job in the first days of autumn. As things stand now, the most realistic option is 'down' in Asia," Dalić previously told Slobodna Dalmacija.
