Alleged Mistress and Illegitimate Child: Dalic Had Enough, Leaves Croatia Post

Zlatko Dalic is stepping down as Croatia's national team coach, not due to poor results or a lack of confidence from the federation, but to shield his family from the devastating impact of public harassment and false accusations.

After more than eight and a half years (3131 days) at the helm of the Vatreni, Dalic succumbed to public pressure, leaving what he himself described as "the most beautiful job" of his career. The decision to withdraw from Croatian public life was driven by the need to preserve his family's peace, which had become unsustainable, Sportske Novosti reported on Wednesday. The coach, it's worth remembering, led a golden generation of Croatians, securing a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup and a bronze in 2022.

While factors like the natural wear and tear of the job and the end of a cycle for players such as Modrić might have played a role, the primary reason was the attack on his personal life. After achieving historic results, Dalić expected unanimous national recognition but instead faced hatred and frustration from a segment of society. As he tried to cope, his wife found the pressure unbearable.

The turning point came with accusations, which Dalic consistently denied, regarding an alleged mistress and an illegitimate child. The destructive impact of these allegations on his loved ones made his continued tenure untenable. His family urged him to step aside to avoid remaining a target of hatred in the country.

During friendly matches in Orlando in March, a national team source reported seeing Dalic in tears while reading what was being written about him. Even then, he confided in some players that he would leave after the World Cup.

Despite stating in his final communiqué that he still harbored ambitions for new successes with Croatia, and many expecting him to reconsider, Dalic stood firm on his decision. By prioritizing family over the prestige of his position, the coach demonstrated that his loved ones are more important than any global stage. His next challenge is expected to be the United Arab Emirates national team, moving away entirely from the 'circus' in Croatia.