Condolence Book for Ćiro Blažević opened: Emotive message from Zlatko Dalić

Zlatko Dalić (Photo: Drago Sopta/HNS)

Legendary Croatian football coach Miroslav ‘Ćiro’ Blažević, who led Croatia to bronze at the 1998 World Cup in France, passed away in Zagreb on Wednesday at the age of 87 after a long battle with prostate cancer.

On Thursday, Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustić led the delegation from the federation which opened a Condolence Book in the Information and Multimedia Center “Budi ponosan” in memory of Blažević. 

(Photo: Drago Sopta/HNS)

President Kustić was joined by the executive director of the federation, Tomislav Svetina, and the coach of national team, Zlatko Dalić.

“Dear Ćiro,

Thank you for your great friendship and support and for everything you have given to Croatian football. Your results will forever be written in the history of our football, but more than that, we will remember you for your smile, humour, charm and energy that you had until the last day. 

Your departure left a great void, but we will always cherish your memory as one of the true greats of our football.

Our dear Ćiro, may he rest in God’s peace!” wrote Marijan Kustić.

Marijan Kustić (Photo: Drago Sopta/HNS)

“My dear boss,

Thank you for everything you have done for me and our Croatia. You were my football teacher, my football father. I will miss your advice, your smile, your cursing. You were and will forever be the coach of all coaches. Rest in peace”, wrote Zlatko Dalić.

Zlatko Dalić (Photo: Drago Sopta/HNS)

All those who wish to register in the Condolence Book can do so at the Information and Multimedia Center “Budi ponosan” in downtown Zagreb from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, except Sundays.

The Croatian Football Federation will subsequently inform the public about the exact date of the commemoration and the last farewell of Miroslav Ćiro Blažević.