Zlatko Dalić

Zlatko Dalić is a Croatian former midfielder and football coach who began his playing career with Hajduk Split before spending his most productive playing years at Varteks. After managing clubs in Croatia, Albania, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—including Al-Ain, whom he led to the 2016 AFC Champions League final—he became Croatia’s senior national-team coach in October 2017. Under his leadership, Croatia reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, won bronze at the 2022 World Cup, and finished runner-up in the 2023 UEFA Nations League.