Dinamo Zagreb under pressure after 2–4 home defeat to NEC Nijmegen

Dinamo Zagreb suffered a surprising but for many observers deserved 2:4 home defeat to NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League on 22 October 2026, a loss that has immediately reignited debate in Croatia about the future of the club's coach, Mario Kovačević.

Pressure mounts on the bench

The match at Maksimir turned decisively in the second half, when Dinamo conceded four goals and was comprehensively outplayed — a display many see as unacceptable for a club of Dinamo's stature and with its European pedigree.

Public sentiment in Croatia has been vocal: fans and commentators are openly asking whether Kovačević should remain at the helm of the Croatian champions after such a heavy home defeat. The scale of the loss and the manner in which it unfolded have intensified calls for change.

While club management weighs whether to keep Kovačević or to seek a replacement, names are already being suggested by supporters as potential successors. Among those most frequently mentioned are Nenad Bjelica, Igor Bišćan, Krunoslav Jurčić and Igor Jovićević — all coaches who have previously worked with Dinamo Zagreb and who, in supporters' view, could step in without a long adaptation period.

It remains to be seen whether Zvonimir Boban, the club's chief football operative, will push for a coaching change; a decision from the club hierarchy is expected over the weekend.

The result increases the pressure on Dinamo as it navigates domestic obligations and its Europa League campaign, and the club now faces a short window to decide its next steps.

Photo: press material from the event