Zlatko Dalic
Zlatko Dalic took charge of Croatia in October 2017 and within months had guided them to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia — the greatest achievement in Croatian football history. His tactical setup, typically a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 built around a dominant midfield trio, allowed players like Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic to control games at the highest level. He also led Croatia to third place in Qatar 2022. A former club manager in the Gulf with Al Ain and Al Hilal, Dalic is pragmatic and defensively organised, prioritising collective shape over individual expression.
Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina · 1966-10-26
Profile
Zlatko Dalic, the Croatian-born coach who took over in 2017 just before qualifying for Russia 2018, has built the most successful era in his nation's World Cup history. He favours a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 that prioritises midfield control and defensive compactness, using Modric as the axis around which everything rotates. He guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and the 2022 third-place finish — back-to-back podium finishes that no Croatian coach had previously managed.
Career
Croatia2017 – present
Al Ain2014 – 2017
Al Hilal2013
Al Faisaly2010 – 2012Team identity
Dalic typically deploys a 4-3-3 with Kovacic as the box-to-box driver, Modric as the deep-lying playmaker, and Mario Pasalic or Luka Sucic as the third midfielder. Croatia build patiently from the back through Gvardiol, invite pressure, then exploit transitions with quick vertical passes. They are not a high-press team — they defend in a mid-block and rely on midfield quality to control tempo rather than intensity.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Croatia's manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Zlatko Dalic is the head coach of Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is Zlatko Dalic's background?
Zlatko Dalic took charge of Croatia in October 2017 and within months had guided them to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia — the greatest achievement in Croatian football history. His tactical setup, typically a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 built arou…