Dalić Finds a New Challenge: Takes Over National Team
Croatia's most successful coach has verbally agreed to a multi-year deal with the United Arab Emirates, with his debut expected as early as late September.
Croatia's most successful coach has verbally agreed to a multi-year deal with the United Arab Emirates, with his debut expected as early as late September.
Zlatko Dalić, the most decorated coach in the history of the Croatian national football team, has made a decision about his next career move. According to reports from Tportal, citing 24sata, the 59-year-old tactician has verbally agreed to take the helm of the United Arab Emirates national team. While official confirmation is still pending, a multi-year contract is expected to be signed in Dubai by the end of August or early September.
After stepping down from the Vatreni bench, Dalić took a well-deserved break to spend time with his family. Although South Korea and Saudi Arabia were also mentioned as potential destinations, he has opted to return to a country where he enjoyed notable club success. From 2014 to 2017, he managed Al Ain, winning the league title, the President's Cup, and the Super Cup, and leading the team to the final of the Asian Champions League.
The verbal agreement was reportedly reached with the president of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. The country's football chiefs were seeking a coach with proven experience at the highest international tournaments. Dalić's impressive tenure with Croatia, capped by a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup, bronze four years later, and a Nations League final appearance in 2023, fits that profile perfectly.
The financial aspect of the deal is also appealing. Unofficial reports suggest Dalić's annual earnings in the Emirates could reach as much as five million euros, significantly more than what he earned with the Croatian Football Federation.
Dalić's first challenge on the new bench comes as early as late September at the Gulf Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia. His debut is scheduled for September 24, 2026, when the UAE will face Yemen in Jeddah. Just three days later, on September 27, they will take on Bahrain, led by another Croatian coach, Dragan Talajić. The Emirates conclude the group stage on September 30 against Qatar. The tournament kicks off on September 23, with the grand final set for October 6. The UAE have won this competition twice before, in 2007 and 2013.
It is expected that Dalić will surround himself with trusted colleagues from his previous staff in his new role. Potential members of his team include Vedran Ćorluka, Dražen Ladić, Marjan Mrmić, Luka Milanović, and Marc Rochon. It remains unclear whether Danijel Subašić will also join. In broader plans for restructuring the UAE's national teams, Branko Ivanković is being considered for the role of technical director, while Igor Bišćan is among the candidates for the U-23 head coach position. The composition of the staff has not yet been officially confirmed.
If the appointment becomes official, Dalić will become the third Croatian coach to lead the United Arab Emirates, following the legendary Tomislav Ivić and Srećko Jurčić.
