The Croatian Football Federation has appointed Slaven Bilić as the new head coach of the national team following the departure of Zlatko Dalić after Croatia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.
According to Sky Sports, the former West Ham United manager succeeds Dalić, who stepped down after Croatia’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Round of 32.
Bilić returns to international management after a two-year break. The 56-year-old was most recently in charge of Saudi Pro League club Al Fateh before leaving the club in August 2024. He has previously managed West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Watford.
Dalić ends a highly successful nine-year tenure during which Croatia established themselves among world football’s elite. Under his leadership, Croatia finished runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and secured third place at the 2022 edition.
However, Croatia failed to replicate those achievements at the 2026 World Cup. The team opened its campaign with a 4-2 defeat to England before defeating Panama 1-0 and Ghana 2-1 to reach the knockout stage, where it was eliminated by Portugal.
Announcing Dalić’s departure, the Croatian Football Federation paid tribute to the departing coach for his remarkable contribution to the national team.
“A humble arrival. An unforgettable journey. A proud farewell. Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalić has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia. Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect, and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch. The results speak of your coaching virtues. The respect you’ve earned from your players, staff, and opponents speaks volumes about the person you are,” the federation said in a post on X.
Bilić will now be tasked with rebuilding the Croatian side as it begins preparations for its next international assignments.
