Zlatko Dalic’s near-nine-year tenure as Croatia head coach ended on Wednesday, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) announced, five days after a 2-1 extra-time loss to Portugal in the round of 32 eliminated the side from the 2026 World Cup. The federation’s statement, released across social media channels, described the departure as “a humble arrival, an unforgettable journey, a proud farewell” and thanked the 59-year-old for “the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia.”

The decisive match in Dallas turned on two moments deep in added time. Croatia thought they had forced a penalty shootout when Joško Gvardiol found the net in the 103rd minute, but the goal was disallowed after semi-automated offside technology detected that Igor Matanović had made minimal contact with the ball in the build-up. Moments later, substitute Gonçalo Ramos struck to send Portugal through. Dalic, who had already described the result as “the end of an era” in his post-match press conference, later criticised the officiating while insisting it was no excuse for the exit. Croatian media noted his particular regret that captain Luka Modrić, appearing in his fifth World Cup, should end his tournament career “like this, with a defeat.”

Dalic was appointed in October 2017 and rapidly transformed the national side. Eight months later he guided Croatia to the World Cup final in Russia, where they lost 4-2 to France. A bronze medal followed in Qatar in 2022, along with a runners-up finish in the 2023 UEFA Nations League. He secured qualification for two European Championships and three consecutive World Cups, winning 62 of his 111 matches in charge. “I never dared to dream that we would achieve everything we have,” Dalic said in a statement carried by Russian and Croatian outlets. HNS president Marijan Kustić declared that Dalic’s name would “remain forever written in golden letters in the history of Croatian football.”

His exit is the twelfth coaching change during this World Cup, a tournament expanded to 48 teams and featuring a new last-32 knockout round. The list includes Roberto Martínez (Portugal), Julian Nagelsmann (Germany), Ronald Koeman (Netherlands), and Javier Aguirre (Mexico), all departing after elimination. Analysts in Europe point to the heightened pressure of the condensed format, where a single early knockout defeat can abruptly end long-term projects. For Croatia, the departure also accelerates a generational shift: Modrić, 40, Ivan Perišić, 37, and Mateo Kovačić, 32, are widely expected to step back from international football, leaving a squad in transition.

Croatian media have identified former international Slaven Bilić and ex-Bundesliga forward Ivica Olić as potential successors, though no appointment has been confirmed. Reports in the Gulf press link Dalic, who previously coached Al-Hilal and Al-Ain, with the United Arab Emirates national team. The HNS, meanwhile, must now appoint a coach to lead a rebuilding campaign towards the 2028 European Championship, with World Cup qualifying on the horizon.