Just over a month after his exit from the Croatian national team, Zlatko Dalic has been appointed as the new head coach of the United Arab Emirates. His appointment follows Croatia’s disappointing round-of-32 exit at the recent World Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Portugal.
Dalic resigned from his role after nine years in charge, a tenure that saw Croatia reach the 2018 World Cup final and secure a third-place finish in Qatar 2022. His recent tenure included two European Championship campaigns, where he guided the team to the last 16 but fell short of advancing further. This latest move is reported by SoccerNews.
Dalic’s track record with Croatia
During his time with Croatia, Dalic oversaw 111 matches, achieving a notable 62 victories. This win rate marks the highest of any head coach since Croatia’s independence in 1990. His era with the national team concluded with a runner-up finish in the Nations League, where they lost to Spain after a penalty shoot-out.
Return to UAE football
Dalic’s return to the UAE comes nearly a decade after he enjoyed success with Al Ain, leading them to a domestic league title in 2015. His departure from that club was attributed to fatigue rather than any controversies, and he is welcomed back with high hopes for the national team’s future.
Next steps for the UAE national team
With his first match scheduled for January against Yemen in the AFC Asian Cup, Dalic will aim to revive the fortunes of a UAE side looking to make a statement on the continental stage. He succeeds Cosmin Olaroiu in leading the team, and expectations are already rising for real progress under his guidance.
The SportiveNews view
Zlatko Dalic’s appointment marks an intriguing shift for the UAE national team. With his extensive experience and past success at club level in the UAE, expectations will be high. The challenge will be translating that experience into international success, particularly at the upcoming Asian Cup.
Frequently asked questions
What led to Dalic’s exit from the Croatian national team?
Zlatko Dalic resigned after a disappointing World Cup campaign that saw Croatia exit in the round of 32, losing 2-1 to Portugal. This marked the worst World Cup performance of his leadership.
What was Dalic’s record with the Croatian national team?
During his tenure, Dalic managed 111 matches, winning 62 of those, with the highest win percentage for any Croatian head coach since 1990.
When will Dalic’s first match as UAE head coach take place?
Dalic’s first match in charge will occur in January against Yemen during the AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Based on reporting from SoccerNews. SportiveNews rewrote and analysed the story independently for football readers.
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