The United Arab Emirates has officially appointed decorated Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic as the new head coach of its national football team. The announcement was made in Dubai on Thursday, marking Dalic’s return to the country a decade after his previous tenure as the head coach of Al Ain.
Dalic arrives in the UAE following a nine-year stint leading the Croatian national team, during which he achieved significant international success. His tenure included guiding Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, a third-place finish in the 2022 tournament, and an appearance in the 2023 Nations League final. He stepped down from his role with Croatia after their recent World Cup campaign concluded in the round of 32 following a 2-1 loss to Portugal.
In the UAE, Dalic replaces former coach Cosmin Olaroiu, who departed after the national team failed to qualify for the most recent World Cup held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Dalic stated, “I am glad to be here again. After 10 years, I came back to the UAE again. I had a great time here. I am confident that we will have a great time again.”
The coach emphasized that his appointment is part of a long-term strategy. “I am thankful to Sheikh Hamdan, for showing his trust in me and giving me this responsibility of taking through to the 2030 World Cup,” Dalic said. He confirmed he has signed a four-year contract, noting that he rejected other offers to pursue this specific challenge, adding that financial compensation was not his primary motivation.
Dalic is bringing in experienced support, including Branko Ivankovic, who will serve as a special adviser to the UAE Football Association and strategic director for national teams. “Branko has big expertise in the region. Our job is to select players who can play for the UAE for a long time. I will need the help of Branko, because of his expertise,” Dalic explained.
The immediate focus for the new staff is the 27th edition of the Gulf Cup, scheduled for September 23 to October 6 in Saudi Arabia. Dalic acknowledged the tight preparation window, as the UAE Pro League season begins on August 14, 2026, leaving only about seven days of training time for his squad before the tournament. Despite the constraints, he stated, “My ambition is to lift the Gulf Cup.”
Looking further ahead, the UAE is preparing for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they have been drawn into Group E alongside South Korea, Vietnam, and Yemen. Dalic stressed that maintaining a positive team culture is essential for success. “Anyone, who goes alone, will be out of the team. Follow my decision and be with the team,” he warned.
The manager also noted that he has kept a close watch on the UAE Pro League during his time away. He intends to consult with his predecessor to gather insights on the current player pool. “I follow the UAE Pro League closely and I kind of know the performances of the players. I have a great respect for the previous coach. I will take the rest of the information from him,” he said.
Dalic concluded by calling for collective effort from all stakeholders, including the media, to support the team’s development. “People who are positive can achieve anything. Those who work hard can achieve any goal. I have worked hard all my life,” he said, emphasizing that his focus remains entirely on building a competitive, long-term project for the nation.
Talking about his first assignment as the UAE coach, Dalic admitted the time for the preparation is very less especially when the league is starting from Aug.14, 2026.
However, the main objective is to go to the 2030 World Cup.
Mohammad Abdullah covers major sports event like FIFA WC, Cricket WC and Formula One..
“I know it is going to be very tough.
I do not work on six-month or one -year contracts.
As far as price is concerned, it is the last thing on my mind.
When I got this project, I was very happy.
Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Sports Reporter
