Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic believes he is “the second best coach in the world” after taking his side to the World Cup final.
Dalic, 51, masterminded Croatia’s exceptional journey to the World Cup final – a first in the nation’s history – but ultimately lost 4-2 to France in Moscow.
Since then, the former Hajduk Split midfielder has been heavily associated with a move to one of Europe’s top clubs, and he may be swayed to leave his position as national team manager as he believes his wage package is too small.
“Like it or not, I am the second best coach in the world,” Dalic told Croatian outlet Vecernji list (via Goal).
“And this figure of $5 million per year for the second coach of the world is too small!
“Look, money is important to everyone, but for me, it’s not my motive number one.
“I have two years on my contract left and I can stay with the team for that long, but I said that after the tour of United States [in March] I made the decision to go.
“I cannot stand that people who kicked the ball twice in their lifetime, decide about my destiny on the Croatian bench! I’m independent and unburdened, but I cannot let anyone play with me and have someone try to dismiss me in two months.”
Dalic further lamented the controversial moment in the World Cup final that saw Antoine Griezmann fire France into a lead after a VAR review determined Ivan Perisic committed a handball in the box.
He added: “I am sad, and I will be sad for the rest of my life. It remains a grievance because Croatia are not world champions, and we should have been the winners because of our quality, the quality of our game.
“But, dear God did not want us to win it. We did not lose to a better team, France just had more luck. A grief about this shall never pass.”
Having initially joined Croatia in 2017 after former coach Ante Cacic was sacked, Dalic was tasked with taking the national side to the World Cup finals, though at the time they were teetering on the brink of elimination.
Dalic oversaw a victory against Ukraine which ensured a second-place finish and a spot in the World Cup qualification play-offs. The nation faced Greece in November 2017, and Dalic’s men triumphed 4-1 to take them to Russia.
This summer, the Blazers enjoyed their most successful run in a major tournament, seeing off stiff opposition from Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland to top Group D, before racing through the knockout stages beating Denmark, Russia and England.
The coach’s comments comes after his player Dejan Lovren labeled himself ‘one of the best defenders in the world’ after helping Croatia book a place in the World Cup Final on Wednesday.
Lovren, who received criticism for his performances at Liverpool last season, stood firm as goals from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic dumped England out of the competition.
The Three Lions came flying out on the blocks at the Luzhniki Stadium, scoring inside five minutes thanks to Kieran Trippier’s stunning free-kick. And they could have had more before half-time had Harry Kane or Jesse Lingard made more of presentable chances.
Gareth Southgate’s side failed to trouble Croatia thereafter as Lovren booked his place in the World Cup Final weeks after appearing in the Champions League showpiece.
“It’s something, for me, special. From my point of view I had people saying I had a difficult season but I don’t agree with that”, Lovren told beIN Sports.
“I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League and now with my national team we are in the final. I think people should recognize that I am also one of the best defenders in the world and not just talk nonsense.”