Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic steps down

Zlatko Dalic stepped down on Wednesday after nearly nine years as the head coach of the Croatia national team.

Dalic, 59, exited on the heels of the club's 2-1 setback to Portugal in the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Dalic guided Croatia to a runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a third-place result at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"I leave with a fulfilled heart, proud of my contribution to the greatest successes of Croatian soccer in history, and I wish my successor, the national team and Croatian soccer many new successes," Dalic said in a statement posted by the national soccer federation Wednesday on Instagram.

"I have always said that there is no greater honor than leading my national team, and that I cannot have a more important, more responsible, and more beautiful job than this.

"The support in recent days has prompted me to reconsider my decision to leave, but ... it's about time. As much as I still feel the ambition and desire to write new successes with Croatia, I feel that this is the right moment to conclude this incredible era."

A successor to Dalic has yet to be named.

"Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalic has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia," the Croatian Football Federation said on X, formerly Twitter.

"Head coach, thank you for everything -- the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect, and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch.

"The results speak of your coaching virtues. The respect you've earned from your players, staff, and opponents speaks volumes about the person you are."