Zlatko Dalic Replaces Ante Cacic as Croatia Coach

Ante Čačić (photo: HNS)

Croatia Ante Cacic has been sacked after his team’s disappointing 1-1 against Finland last night.

With Croatia’s 2018 World Cup qualification in the balance, Croatia has decided to let Cacic go and on Saturday Croatian Football Federation president Davor Suker announced that his replacement would be 50-year-old Zlatko Dalic.

Croatia faces Ukraine in their last Group match on Monday which is now a must-win match if there are to be any hopes in qualifying. Croatia is currently two points adrift of first place Iceland, who face Kosovo at home in their final match.

If Croatia beat Ukraine then that should seal a playoff spot, however, a draw could see Croatia miss out altogether.

Dalic, who as defensive midfielder during his professional career, was the assistant Croatia U-21 coach.

Zlatko Dalic (CC)

He has also coached in the Croatian domestic league at Varteks Varazdin, NK Rijeka, and Slaven Belupo. He also had positions in Albania at Dinamo Tirana and in Saudi Arabia at Al-Faisaly Harmah and Al-Hilal, and in the UAE at Al-Ain.

His honours as a manager include the Albanian Supercup, UAE President’s Cup, UAE Arabian Gulf League, UAE Arabian Gulf Supercup, and AFC Champions League.

As a player, Dalic played for Hajduk Split, Velež Mostar, Dinamo Vinkovci, and Varteks Varazdin.

Cacic leaves his role after 2 years. He had a 60% win record, losing 4 times in charge of 25 matches.