Zlatko Dalić (foto: Getty Images)
Former Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has officially taken charge of the United Arab Emirates, reportedly earning around €20 million over four years.
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Zlatko Dalić has found his next challenge after ending his historic nine-year spell as Croatia coach. The 59-year-old has officially been appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates national team.
The UAE Football Association confirmed Dalić's arrival, bringing the Croatian back to a country he already knows extremely well.
His primary objective is clear: lead the United Arab Emirates to the 2030 World Cup.
The appointment also comes with an enormous financial package. According to reports from Croatia, Dalić is expected to earn approximately €20 million over four years.
A huge salary increase for Dalić
The reported agreement would therefore be worth around €5 million per year.
For comparison, Croatian media report that Dalić earned approximately €1.5 million per year while coaching Croatia.
His new salary would therefore be more than three times higher than his reported earnings with the Croatian national team.
Financially, the UAE job represents one of the biggest contracts of Dalić's coaching career.
Returning to familiar territory
Dalić is no stranger to football in the United Arab Emirates.
Before taking charge of Croatia, he enjoyed a successful spell with Al Ain, where he established his reputation in Asian football.
He led Al Ain to the UAE league title and also reached the AFC Champions League final, experience that should help him adapt quickly to his new role.
Now he returns with a significantly bigger international reputation after one of the most successful periods in Croatian football history.
Nine historic years with Croatia
Dalić took charge of Croatia in 2017 and subsequently produced a series of results that transformed his status in European football.
His greatest achievement came at the 2018 World Cup, where Croatia reached the final before losing to France and claimed the silver medal.
Four years later, Dalić's team proved the Russian tournament was no isolated success. Croatia reached another World Cup semi-final in Qatar and finished the tournament with a bronze medal.
In 2023, Croatia also reached the UEFA Nations League final.
Dalić therefore leaves behind an extraordinary international legacy, with two World Cup medals and a Nations League final appearance during his time in charge.
The UAE want to return to the World Cup
The United Arab Emirates have appeared at the World Cup only once, at Italy 1990.
Their latest attempt ended in disappointment after they failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament.
That failure led to the departure of Cosmin Olăroiu, who subsequently took charge of Al Jazira.
The UAE have now turned to a coach with extensive experience of both international tournaments and football in the region.
Dalić's mission is ambitious, but the reward reflects it: around €20 million over four years and the task of taking the United Arab Emirates back to the World Cup after four decades.