Mario Mandžukić leaves Croatian national team coaching role

Mario Mandzukic (Photo: Антон Зайцев/Soccer.ru/CC)

Mario Mandžukić (38) is no longer part of Zlatko Dalić’s coaching staff with the Croatian national team.

Mandžukić has agreed with Dalić not to continue in the role, the Croatian Football Federation confirmed today.

The former Bayern Munich and Juventus striker joined the national team in a coaching role in November 2021, after retiring from his playing career earlier that year.

As a coach, he was part of two historic achievements for the Vatreni: winning the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and the silver medal in the UEFA Nations League in 2023.

“I would like to thank manager Dalić and the Croatian Football Federation for their trust and the opportunity they gave me, as well as all my colleagues on the coaching staff and the players for their cooperation,” Mandžukić said before adding.

I am proud of the successes we achieved during this period, and I am glad I could assist the team in this role. After this year’s Euros, I felt it was time for new and different challenges, and I wish the team much success in the upcoming competitions.”

Dalić thanked Mandžukić for his efforts over the past few years.

“Mario is a true great in our football history, and his experience and authority have undoubtedly been of great help to our younger players in recent years.

I want to thank Mario for the significant dedication he has shown in this new role for him; he truly approached coaching with the same commitment he had as a player. I am grateful for his contribution to our major successes over the past three years while he was part of the coaching staff, and I wish him much luck and success in his future challenges.

I hope he remains connected to football, a field in which he has much knowledge and still much to give, regardless of what role he sees himself in going forward,” said manager Dalić.