Croatia coach Dalic chooses hard road to success

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Zlatko Dalic's coaching career mirrored his team's campaign at the World Cup – a long and difficult road to recognition and respect for the motto.

The goalkeeper of 51 years was mentored by Miroslav Blazevic, the architect of the young nation's trip to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals, but made the decision in 2010 that relocating to the Gulf was the only way to prove its value as a that & # 39; coach.

Seven years later, he took control of a Croatian team in disarray and slowly rebuilt the unit that allowed them to make the most of their individual talent and talent. reach Sunday's final against France.

"I have always been optimistic throughout my stay by canoe," said Dalic through a translator on Thursday.

"I'm looking for positives in everything, we had a lot of problems, if I had created more problems, we would not be in the final.

" The culture of our national team was in tatters , with players boycotting the shirt. We are now in the final and people are celebrating in the streets. If I played a small part in that, then I am very happy. "

Dalic played a decisive role in the culture of the team, but he faced another challenge in Russia when Nikola Kalinic refused to substitute in the opening match against Nigeria, saying that he had a back injury.

The coach acted decisively and sent back AC Milan striker AC Kalinic to five days of the tournament, leaving Dalic with only 22 players but renewed authority.

"It's very sad that this has happened, but I will not dwell on these things," he added.

"From the first day, I celebrated solidarity and unity The teams that did not have any have already returned home, they are on the beach. e.

Respect is a word that has sprinkled Dalic's outbursts, and he was at the heart of his decision to visit Saudi Arabia eight years ago. Al-Faisaly, which manages two of the largest teams in the region at Al Hilal and Al Ain.

"Throughout my career and in my life, I have always taken the most difficult path and have had to fight for everything," he said.

"I did not want to stay in Croatia and be an average coach, pressing on gifts Croatian coaches are not respected in Europe, even though we are getting great results, they are looking for

"That 's why I started at the bottom of the scale. When Asia called, I did not hesitate, I knew that I would work with great players.

"I coached Al Ain, Real Madrid of Asia, and we arrived in the final of the Champions League of Asia." Dalic returned to Croatia to take the post of 39; national coach last October after the dismissal of Ante Cacic, refusing to accept a contract until he got the qualification for Russia.

On Sunday, he will test his coaching skills against Didier Deschamps, the captain of the World Cup of France in 1998, whose coaching career began alongside Ligue 1 Monaco immediately after his retirement as a player

"Nothing was ever given on a plate, unlike some coaches in Europe, who get big jobs on the back of their names as players," Dalic said.

" I used to say to give me a Real Madrid or a Barcelona and I will win titles, but now I am e n World Cup finals. "