March 18, 2023 - The Croatian Football Federation and national team coach Zlatko Dalić have agreed to extend their cooperation until 2026.
The Croatian Football Federation President Marijan Kustić and Croatia's most successful coach Zlatko Dalić agreed on all the details to continue the extremely successful cooperation. They signed a contract at the headquarters of the Croatian Football Federation, according to which Dalić will remain coach until the end of the cycle that includes the FIFA World Cup in 2026, which will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
"Zlatko Dalić fulfilled absolutely all the goals that were set before him in these five and a half years, and at the same time, he had two magnificent achievements at the World Cups in Russia and Qatar and led Croatia to silver and bronze medals, thus becoming our most successful coach in history. Therefore, I am extremely pleased that we have agreed to continue our cooperation which has been brilliant so far. Zlatko not only achieved outstanding results but also created a fantastic atmosphere of togetherness within and around the team, and he also showed that he knows how to refresh the team and, at the same time, maintain the continuity of results. As before, Zlatko and the national team will have maximum support from the Federation in their work, and I deeply believe that with him at the helm, we will continue to make Croatia fans worldwide happy," said HNS president Marijan Kustić.
Dalić took over the Vatreni at a difficult time in October 2017. Since then, he has achieved impressive results. The second and third places at the World Cups in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 stand out, but Dalić also advanced to the Nations League final tournament, which will be held in the Netherlands this year, and the round of 16 of Euro 2020. Three times he qualified for the final tournaments, and in two complete qualifying cycles under his leadership, Croatia advanced as the first-placed team in the group.
"I thank President Kustić and the entire HNS for the great trust and the support I have in my work with the national team. I have often pointed out that this job is the greatest honor and pleasure I can have as a coach, and I am truly looking forward to the future with the Croatia national team. Regardless of the wonderful successes we have already achieved, I have great passion and ambition to continue working with Croatia, and I believe that there are still many great challenges ahead. In June, we will try to win the Nations League, and next summer, we want to be part of the spectacular Euro in Germany - the fulfillment of a dream to play in a big competition in front of tens of thousands of our fans. I enjoy working with our players and my great staff, and I can't imagine a more beautiful and honorable job than leading the Croatia national team," coach Zlatko Dalić said.
Source: HNS
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