Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE Football Association has officially confirmed the appointment of Zlatko Dalic as the new head coach of the national team.
The distinguished Croatian tactician returns to the country where he has enjoyed remarkable success at club level, taking the helm of the national side at a vital stage in its international development.
Dalic, 59, arrives with international pedigree, having spent the past nine years guiding the Croatian national team through the most illustrious era in its history.
His tenure with the Croatian national team became the most successful coaching period in the country’s history. He led Croatia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where they won silver, followed by a bronze medal at the 2022 World Cup.
He left his role as Croatia coach in July after their World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32 with a 2-1 defeat by Portugal.
Prior to his historic achievements on the global stage with Croatia, Dalic had established a formidable reputation within UAE football. He enjoyed a highly decorated tenure as manager of Al Ain, leading the club to domestic glory and reaching the 2015 final of the Asian Champions League.
His intimate knowledge of local football, player profiles and national sports culture should stand him in good stead in his new role.
“Welcome, Zlatko Dalic. The UAE Football Association is pleased to announce the appointment of the Croatian as the new Head Coach of the UAE National Team,” the UAEFA posted on X.
The association will announce details of the Croatian coach’s contract on Thursday, during a press conference at its headquarters in Dubai, which will be attended by association officials and media representatives. The conference is expected to share details of the contract duration, coaching staff and the national team’s preparation programme for upcoming competitions.
Dalic will also have some familiar feeder support as his appointment was confirmed just three days after the UAEFA named another Croatian in Igor Biscan as the national Under-23 team coach.
The appointment as senior national team manager sees Dalic replace Romanian strategist Cosmin Olaroiu, who was entrusted with the task of taking the national team over the line in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup.
Olaroiu has managed several of the country’s most prominent clubs, including Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah, before recently accepting the managerial post at Abu Dhabi outfit Al Jazira.
Dalic is scheduled to assume his duties immediately as preparations begin for upcoming international fixtures. The UAE will face South Korea, Vietnam and Yemen in Group E of the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
