Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic claims he is ‘second best coach in world’ and demands £3.8m deal after World Cup heroics
The 51-year-old boss is asking the Croatian authorities for a bigger pay-packet after guiding the country to their first ever World Cup final
CROATIA boss Zlatko Dalic is making big claims and asking for a bumper paypacket to reflect his worth.
After securing second place at the World Cup in Russia, Dalic wants a salary that is in line with being the second best coach in the world.
The 51-year-old boss is asking the Croatian authorities for £3.8m after guiding the country to their first ever World Cup final.
Speaking to Croatian news outlet Vecernji list, he said: "Like it or not, I am the second best coach in the world.
"And this figure for the second coach of the world is too small!"
He added that while money was a factor, it wasn't his number one motive.
After several months of unrest between the Croatian coach and the Croatian Football Federation, Dalic saw Croatia beat Greece to reach Russia 2018 and then guided them through the tournament to the final.
And as a result of getting Croatia to the final, Dalic is in a position to negotiate his salary as there are undoubtedly plenty of other sides waiting in the wings.
Dalic continued: "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."
With a team that featured a player that was deemed the best in the tournament, Dalic managed to drag his team through three lots of extra-time to face the final.
Luka Modric, the recipient of the Golden Ball, captained his side to a thrilling final but they were unable to tame an impressive French side.
Losing 4-2 to France in Moscow left a feeling with Dalic that will stay with him forever.
He sad: "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."
