Official: Zlatko Dalić takes charge of an exotic national team

Dalić returns to the place where his coaching career once reached new heights.

Details: The UAE Football Association has officially announced the appointment of 59-year-old Zlatko Dalić as the new head coach of the national team. The Croatian manager replaces Cosmin Olăroiu, with his contract set for four years—essentially covering the entire 2030 World Cup cycle. Dalić confirmed that the agreement also includes his coaching staff.

• Also read: Ilves - Rijeka: Who will advance to the next round of the Conference League qualifiers?

The new manager's main objective is already clear—lead the UAE national team to the 2030 World Cup. Before that, the team will compete in the Gulf Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup. Dalić stated that he believes in the potential of the local young players and intends to build the squad around footballers capable of delivering results in the long term.

This marks a return to familiar territory for Dalić. From 2014 to 2017, he managed Al Ain, winning the UAE Pro League, the President's Cup, and the national Super Cup, as well as reaching the 2016 AFC Champions League final. Dalić himself has admitted that his time at Al Ain was pivotal in elevating his coaching career.

Before his stint in the Middle East, Dalić managed Varteks, Rijeka, Slaven Belupo, and Dinamo Tirana, then went on to coach Saudi sides Al-Faisaly and Al-Hilal. He also served on the coaching staff of Croatia's U21 national team.

The defining stage of his career began in October 2017, when Dalić took charge of the Croatian national team. Over nearly nine years, he became the most successful manager in the country's history: leading Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, securing bronze at the 2022 World Cup, and reaching the 2023 Nations League final. Under his guidance, the team played 111 matches and celebrated 62 victories.

Dalić left the Croatian national team in July after their knockout by Portugal in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Now, a new monumental challenge awaits: the UAE have only qualified for the World Cup once—in 1990—and returning to football's biggest stage is the central goal of this ambitious four-year project.

Reminder: Restart. Official: Croatia national team appoints new head coach.