Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE Football Association’s board of directors announced the termination of the contract with Romanian Cosmin Olăroiu, the head coach of the national team, along with his coaching staff. They also thanked them for their contributions during their time with the national team.
The UAE Football Association confirmed that it will reveal the identity of the new coaching staff that will lead the national team in the coming period. This comes in preparation for upcoming competitions.
Meanwhile, the federation’s management continues to review several coaching candidates. This move comes amidst media reports linking the UAE national team with a move for Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić, the manager of the Croatian national team.
The Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List reported that the UAE Football Association had made an official offer to Dalic to coach the UAE national team. The newspaper also stated that the contract was worth five million euros annually.
The newspaper added that negotiations between the two parties have seen positive developments recently. Consequently, the UAE Football Association is keen to appoint a coach with extensive international experience to lead the national team in the upcoming period.
Reports indicate that the UAE Football Association is seeking to finalize the appointment of a new head coach after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The new coach will then be tasked with building a national team capable of competing in upcoming continental and international tournaments.
