Kustić: "Zlatko will forever be written in golden letters in the history of Croatian football"

"There are moments in sport when it is difficult to find the right words, and this is undoubtedly one of them. Zlatko Dalić has decided to bring his incredible journey as head coach of the Croatian national team to an end, and first and foremost I want to say a sincere and heartfelt thank you on behalf of the Croatian football family and all of us who have had the privilege of working with him.

Thank you for believing in the Croatian national team from the very first day, and for instilling that same belief in the players. Together, you achieved extraordinary successes that generations will continue to talk about.

Under his leadership, Croatian football wrote the most glorious chapters in its history. Silver in Russia, bronze in Qatar, the UEFA Nations League final... But these are not merely medals and results—they are memories that millions of Croatians will cherish for the rest of their lives. They are the moments when the whole of Croatia breathed as one, when children dreamed of one day wearing the Vatreni shirt, and when Croatians around the world proudly raised our national flag.

Yet perhaps even greater than those achievements is the way in which they were accomplished.

Zlatko was always gracious in both victory and defeat. He never looked for excuses and never forgot what an immense honour it is to represent Croatia. Through his composure, faith, humility and humanity, he became much more than a head coach—he became the symbol of an entire generation of Croatian sport.

I had the privilege of working alongside him and witnessing first-hand how much emotion, sacrifice and love he invested in this role. Being the head coach is not just about the ninety or more minutes of a match. It is about sleepless nights, immense responsibility, constant pressure and the burden that comes with leading the Croatian national team. Zlatko carried that burden with honour and pride, always putting the national team before himself.

I know how much the Croatian shirt has always meant—and still means—to him. That is why I know this decision was not an easy one. But I also know it was made with his heart and with a profound sense of responsibility, just as he made every important decision throughout his tenure.

On behalf of the Croatian Football Federation, our national team players, all Federation employees and millions of supporters, I want Zlatko to know that he will forever remain a member of the Croatian Football Federation family.

What he has given Croatian football cannot be measured solely in medals, trophies or statistics, although by every one of those measures he is unquestionably the greatest and most successful head coach Croatia has ever had. He gave us the belief that a small nation can achieve the biggest dreams. He showed us that unity, hard work and character can push the boundaries of what is possible.

Thank you once again, Zlatko, for making us proud. Thank you for leading the Croatian national team through the most glorious period in its history. Thank you for leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

His place among the legends of Croatian sport has long been secured, and the doors of the Croatian Football Federation will always remain open to Zlatko Dalić.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish him good health, peace, happiness and every success wherever life and football may take him. Thank you for everything. Croatian football and Croatian sport will never forget what you have done for them", said Marijan Kustić, President of the Croatian Football Federation.

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