Zlatko Dalić offered huge multimillion-euro contract to coach in China

Zlatko Dalić (HNS)

Croatia football coach Zlatko Dalic has reportedly been offered a multi-million euro contract to coach in the Chinese Super League. 

Whilst interest from China in the World Cup silver medal-winning coach has existed since the summer, an exclusive report from Sportske Novosti suggests that a contract offer is on the table which would see Dalić earn around 30 million euros over 3 seasons. 

“According to official information from China, and not media speculation, a 3-year contract for Dalić is on the ‘table’ for 8 million euros a season, with the first payment five days after a signature,” Sportske Novosti writes. 

The report goes on to say that Dalić has also been offered a budget of 1 million euros a year to bring in his own coaching staff, and a 2 million euros bonus for winning the Chinese Super League, 1.5 million euros for winning the Cup and half a million euros for coming second in the league in his first season. 

This amount would increase annually. 

Zlatko Dalić with his wife at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in London (FIFA)

Dalić reportedly has until the end of the week to respond to the offer on the table but responded to the news on Thursday night. 

“The offer is real, the Chinese were in Croatia and increased the offer, but my focus is still on the Croatian national team and matches against England and Jordan. Money is not everything,” Dalić told RTL television in response to the news. 

After returning from the World Cup there was speculation that Dalić would step down from the job, citing differences with some of the board. Negotiations over the summer resulted in Dalić confirming he would take charge of Croatia until EURO 2020. 

Dalić, who was one of three coaches nominated for FIFA Coach of the Year, will gather his squad this weekend for the UEFA Nations League clash with England next Friday.