Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Zlatko Dalic named UAE head coach after Croatia exit
Zlatko Dalic is a famous football coach from Croatia.
He used to lead Croatia's national team for nine years.
Under him, Croatia played in the final of the 2018 World Cup and finished third in 2022.
That was a very big achievement.
Now he has a new job.
He will be the head coach of the United Arab Emirates national team.
He has worked in the UAE before, when he helped the club Al Ain win the league title in 2015.
His new team will play against South Korea, Vietnam, and Yemen to try to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
That tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Zlatko Dalic has been appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team.
The 59-year-old left his Croatia role in July after a round-of-32 World Cup exit to Portugal.
During nine years in charge of Croatia, Dalic reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third in 2022.
He returns to the UAE, where he previously led Al Ain to the domestic league title in 2015.
The UAE will face South Korea, Vietnam and Yemen in Group E of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Zlatko Dalic, former Croatia manager
- What
- Appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team
- When
- Announced on Wednesday, after Dalic left Croatia in July
- Where
- United Arab Emirates
- Why
- To lead the UAE into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, where they face South Korea, Vietnam and Yemen
- New role
- Head Coach, UAE National Team
- Appointing body
- UAE Football Association (UAEFA)
- Age
- 59
- Previous role
- Croatia head coach for nine years, left in July after a 2-1 round-of-32 World Cup defeat to Portugal
- Croatia highlights
- 2018 World Cup final, 2022 World Cup third place, 2023 Nations League final
- Previous UAE stint
- Won the domestic league title with Al Ain in 2015
- Predecessor
- Cosmin Olaroiu of Romania
- Next challenge
- 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Group E vs South Korea, Vietnam and Yemen (tournament in Saudi Arabia)