Moscow: Zlatko Dalic’s coaching career has mirrored his team’s campaign at the World Cup – a long, hard road to recognition and respect on the back of the hard currency of results.
The 51-year-old was mentored by Miroslav Blazevic, the architect of the young nation’s journey to the 1998 World Cup semifinals, but made the decision in 2010 that moving to the Gulf was the only way to prove his worth as a coach.
Seven years on, he took over a Croatia squad in disarray and slowly rebuilt the unity which has allowed them to get the best out of their individual talent and reach Sunday’s final against France.
“I have always been an optimist throughout my time in the dugout,” Dalic said through a translator, Friday. “I look for positives in everything. We have had many problems, if I had created more problems, we would not be in the final.
“The culture of our national team was in tatters, with players boycotting the shirt. Now we are in the final and people are celebrating on the streets. If I played a small part in that, then I am very happy,” added the astute tactician.
Dalic has played a decisive role in turning around the culture of the squad, but he faced another challenge in Russia when Nikola Kalinic refused to come on as a substitute in the opening match against Nigeria, stating he had a back injury.
The coach acted decisively and sent the AC Milan striker Kalinic home five days into the tournament, leaving Dalic with only 22 players but renewed authority.
“It’s very sad that this happened, but I’m not going to dwell on these things. From day one, I have celebrated solidarity and unity because the teams that didn’t have this aspect, they have already gone home, they’re on the beach,” pointed out Dalic.
Respect is a word that has peppered Dalic’s outpourings, and it was central to his decision to head to Saudi Arabia eight years ago and coach Al-Faisaly, then moving on to manage two of the biggest teams in the region in Al Hilal and Al Ain. “Throughout my career and in my life, I’ve always taken the harder path and had to fight for everything,” Dalic pointed out. “Croatian coaches are not respected in Europe, even if we get great results, they look for brand names.”
Dalic returned to Croatia to take on the national coaching job last October after Ante Cacic was sacked, refusing to accept a contract until he had secured qualification for Russia.
“I used to say give me a Real Madrid or a Barcelona and I will win titles, but now I am in the final of the World Cup. So I have proved my worth,” added Dalic.
Key notes
Dalic managed top UAE club Al Ain for three years and guided them
to the Asian Champions League final in 2015
Till he guaranteed Croatia’s qualification in Russia, Dalic had not signed up
with the Croatian football federation
“Throughout my career and in my life, I’ve always taken the harder path and had to fight for everything. Croatian coaches are never respected in Europe. I hope now the views will change
Zlatko Dalic