GNK Dinamo Zagreb has been eliminated from the Champions League after defeat to Norwegian side Viking, reigniting public debate about coach Mario Kovačević's future. Fans and pundits are intensely questioning his ability to lead Croatia's most successful club.
Kovačević took over Dinamo on June 4 last year, arriving with "visible enthusiasm and a clear vision of the game he wanted to implement." However, a year and two months later, despite winning the domestic double in Croatia, elimination from Europe's elite competition has placed him at the center of criticism. Many supporters believe he has never managed to reduce doubts about his qualities.
The main reason for the current crisis is the failure in the Champions League playoffs. Dinamo led in both legs against Viking, including a 2-0 advantage in Zagreb before the match ended 2-2. In the return leg in Norway, the club also had the lead before ultimately losing 1-3. With a 5-3 aggregate score for Viking, Dinamo will miss the elite European competition this season.
Critics point out that Kovačević never has a Plan B and that his level is that of a Croatian league coach. In fan comments, it's frequently mentioned that former coaches like Nenad Bjelica or Sergej Jakirović would have easily guided the club into the Champions League. The European exit has also seen club president Zvonimir Boban come under fire alongside the coach.
Despite the criticism, Kovačević has concrete results on Dinamo's bench. Last season he won the Croatian championship title with an impressive 18-point advantage over second-placed Hajduk. He also led the team to victory in the Croatian Football Cup, achieving a domestic double.
This season Dinamo has started strongly in the domestic league. After three matches played, the club has a perfect record of nine points, with a goal difference of 9:1 and the top position in the standings. However, these results haven't eased the skepticism among a portion of the fanbase.
The club has three wins in three rounds in the Croatian league, making them clear favorites to defend the title. Dinamo was eliminated from Champions League qualification already in the second qualifying round, meaning they will compete in the Europa League this season. This represents a significant financial blow for the club.
According to our data, Dinamo currently has 28 players in the first team, with an average age of 24. The squad is highly experienced in European competitions, with more than 100 combined matches played in the Europa League and Champions League. A detailed overview of all players can be found on the squad page.
The next challenge for Dinamo is a match against Istra 1961 in the 4th round of the Croatian league, scheduled for September 13. This will be the first chance to respond after the European disappointment. The club will also compete in the Europa League, where they will face stronger competition than in the domestic championship.
Kovačević's contract with Dinamo runs until the summer of 2027, giving him time to recover but also putting additional pressure on him to deliver better results in Europe. Finally, Dinamo currently has no injured players according to official reports, which is positive news for the continuation of the season.
