Zlatko Dalić appointed head coach of United Arab Emirates
UAEFA announced the appointment on 12 August 2026; contract length and first assignments will be detailed after the presentation.
It is official: Zlatko Dalić has been named head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team following an announcement on 12 August 2026. The UAE Football Association presented the Croatian coach to supporters and the wider public after finalising the agreement earlier today.
What was announced
The association confirmed the appointment at a public presentation, saying the partnership with the experienced coach has begun. Dalić steps into a new international assignment after a high-profile spell leading Croatia, where he earned a reputation as one of the region's most respected managers.
During his time with Croatia's national side he recorded strong results and left a visible mark on the team that reached the latter stages of major tournaments. The UAEFA framed the move as the start of an ambitious project to lift the Emirates team.
Details about the length of Dalić’s contract and his first official duties with the UAE are expected after the formal handover. Media speculation around the deal suggests his annual salary could be five million euros.
The UAE Football Association also posted social media messages to welcome the coach; their English tweet read: "A new chapter full of ambition 🇦🇪 Welcome, Zlatko Dalić 🤝 #UAENT".
Earlier reports mentioned that Marko Gjorgjievski had been considered in relation to the team’s friendly against Hibernian, but the UAE have moved to secure Dalić for the national team role.
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