Coach Zlatko Dalic sensationally led Croatia to the final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Also in Qatar 2022, the Southeast Europeans are fighting for the title and are among the top four. What distinguishes the success coach?
It’s a ritual for the Croatian national team: coach Zlatko Dalic asks the players of the World Cup semi-finalists after almost every training session in the Al-Erssal sports center to do their favorite discipline, penalty kicks. There’s always a lot of fun and laughter – and even more ambition.
This not only ensures looseness, but also has a verifiable effect. Finally, Croatia prevailed against Japan on penalties in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup – and in the round of the top eight against Brazil the decision was also made on the spot. Again kept the “Kockasti” (The Checkered) got the upper hand.
Germany’s World Cup record set
The small southeast European country thus prevailed in all four of its penalty shootouts at a World Cup and drew level with the previous record holder Germany.
Dalic: “Don’t make any decisions without talking to the players“
The almost daily penalty shoot-out is an example of the mixture of focus and relaxation that also characterizes Coach Dalic. He sets the direction, but takes his team with him.
The father of two described his management style during the 2018 World Cup, when he sensationally led Croatia to the World Cup final against France: “I’m the one who makes the decisions, but the relationship with the players is one of great respect. She is very honest. I don’t make decisions without talking to the players.”
However, this looseness and closeness to the trainer should not be seen as an invitation to disregard the rules. Otherwise the players get to feel a different side of their coach. The 56-year-old can also be tough. Consistency is one of his absolute principles of action.
At the 2018 World Cup, after the Croatian opener against Nigeria (2-0), he kicked striker Nikola Kalinic out of the squad because he had refused to be substituted on late in the game. A measure that strengthened the cohesion in the team – and Dalic’s authority.
Modric: “Dalic shows greatness“
Luka Modric, Croatia’s “heart and brain” four years ago, raved about his coach at the time: “We appreciate his honesty the most, Zlatko shows greatness not only as a coach but also as a person.” The team believes in Dalic, they follow their coach.
Suddenly on the big stage
This success story was not necessarily foreseeable when Dalic was somewhat surprisingly named Croatia national coach in October 2017 after eight years as coach in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Previously, his clubs were based in the desert states and were called Al-Faisaly, Al-Hilal or Al-Ain, suddenly Dalic was on the really big stage. He quickly convinced – and at the latest after the triumphant 2018 World Cup he was a national hero among the Southeast Europeans.
Dalic also survived calls for his resignation after the disastrous Nations League 2020/21 (three points, 9:16 goals), especially since a good European Championship followed in 2021: In the round of 16 against Spain, the “Kockasti” were 3-1 down at the last minute, but lost 5-3 after 120 minutes. However, his team had once again impressed in an important tournament. The coach’s contract was extended until 2024.
Dalic can make history
After another strong World Cup in Qatar, it seems clear that he will also fulfill this goal. Dalic would make history with that. He would then be on the bench longer than the previous record holders Miroslav Blazevic (1994 to 2000) and Slaven Bilic (2006 to 2012).
Also very popular off the pitch
He already has legendary status in his home country. Dalic is also extremely popular off the pitch there. The patriot volunteered in the Civil War in 1991, is married with two sons, does not smoke or drink and prays a rosary at every game.
Belief in himself, his team and the common mission is also what carries Dalic through the 2022 World Cup. Argentina is waiting there in the semi-finals (December 13, 2022, from 8 p.m. on ARD and in the live stream on sportschau.de). After the success against record world champions Brazil, the next coup should follow.
The coach sees his team psychologically at an advantage against the two-time world champion. “The many fans, the huge expectations – Argentina is under more pressure“said the 56-year-old on Monday (12/12/2022).
Dalic admitted that the game against the South Americans will be the “third biggest” of his career for him personally. Interestingly, he left out the 2018 World Cup final. Instead, he named the semi-final against England (2-1 win after extra time) before the Brazil game in 2022 as the top priority. He then placed the upcoming semi-final against Argentina.
“We want more“
Already the renewed qualification for the round of four is an extraordinary success for Croatia, said Dalic, “but we want more“. Another participation in the final would be for the coach “the greatest success in Croatian football history“.
Messi shouldn’t get a space
For his team, the semifinals will be a similar game to the quarterfinals, Dalic said: “If we defend like we did against Brazil, Messi won’t get the space he needs“, he said. He has identified weaknesses in the favored Argentines. “They led 2-0 against the Netherlands and let the opponent come back. This shows that they are vulnerable.”
“Croatia is at its best when it counts“
And so he will again give his team, who will play the beloved outsider role, a match plan that should make life difficult for the opponent. According to Dalic, his team will be prepared: “Croatia is at its best when it counts. Then it is always successful.”
This is evidenced by the statistics. Croatia have gone into overtime five times in a row in the knockout stages of a World Cup, four of which have involved penalties. Always came the “Kockasti” further.
If it were to decide from the point again, Dalic would not object. It feels like reaching the showdown, “as if we had already won at that point” he stressed.
Dalic: “I’m indescribably proud of Croatia and my team”
These successes and this self-image are largely due to Dalic’s merit. He confessed that he had never dreamed of all this when he took up his post in October 2017. “I thought it impossible to get into such a position. I believed that was only possible for very prominent personalities,” he said.
But he made it come true – although a few years ago Dalic was still a completely unknown coach “in the desert”. Now he is one of the greats of his trade. “But now I’m here,” he said: “And I’m indescribably proud of Croatia and my team.”