The former Vatreni head coach confirmed to Slobodna Dalmacija that he is on the verge of a new national team role, with a decision expected soon to start the job in early autumn.
Zlatko Dalić (59), the former head coach of the Croatian national football team, has spoken about his plans for the next stage of his career. After nearly nine years at the helm of the Vatreni and departing after the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Dalić revealed in an interview with Slobodna Dalmacija's journalist Ivo Mikuličin that working with a club is unimaginable for him and that he will take over a national team.
Dalić emphasized that he has received a large number of offers, but he will make a final decision very soon. "Without false modesty, I will point out that there have been more than enough calls. I will make a decision about a 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. I would, however, keep the country a secret for now," Dalić said for Slobodna Dalmacija, as reported by 24sata.
Although he did not reveal which national team it is, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates have recently been mentioned as potential employers. As reported by 24sata, according to earlier information, the UAE has already offered Dalić a contract of five million euros per year, but the Croatian expert has not yet accepted that offer.
In the new national team, Dalić could retain a large part of the coaching staff he worked with during the final period of his tenure with Croatia. Alongside him, Danijel Subašić, Dražen Ladić, Marjan Mrmić, and analyst Marc Rochon would likely remain, while Vedran Ćorluka and fitness coach Luka Milanović are mentioned as potential additional staff members.
Before starting his new role, Dalić plans to spend his vacation in Dalmatia. "I see no better solution for the current unbearable heat than a vacation in Dalmatia, where I left a not-so-small piece of my heart. It is very likely that I will pop over to Krka and the ancient town of Skradin," Dalić said for Slobodna Dalmacija, as reported by Hrvatska Danas.
Dalić led Croatia in 111 matches, achieving 62 victories. During nearly nine years at the helm of the Vatreni, he won the silver medal at the 2018 World Cup, bronze four years later, and second place in the Nations League. He was succeeded by Slaven Bilić, and Dalić is expected to announce his new destination in the coming weeks.
