Bahrain Part Ways With Coach Dragan Talajic After Defending Champions' Winless Gulf Cup Exit
The Croatian, who led Bahrain to the 2024 title, leaves by mutual agreement as Saudi Arabia and the UAE prepare for Tuesday's final
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File photo: Croatian coach Dragan Talajic in May 2011. Photo: Kwt.kris, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
MANAMA — Bahrain have parted ways with head coach Dragan Talajic by mutual agreement after the defending champions crashed out of the Gulf Cup without a point, the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) said on Monday, according to Reuters.
The 61-year-old Croatian led Bahrain to the Gulf Cup title in 2024, but this year's tournament in Saudi Arabia ended in the group stage after three straight defeats, Reuters reported. The Gulf Daily News reported that Talajic and his staff had been relieved of their duties by mutual agreement.
Three defeats in Group B
Bahrain opened with a 2-0 loss to Qatar and were knocked out after a 3-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates in Dammam, Arab News reported. In a meeting of Croatian coaches, Zlatko Dalic's UAE controlled the game from the first minute, with Ousmane Camara, Guilherme Bala and Ali Saleh scoring. Arab News said Bahrain did not have a touch in the opposition box in the first half.
The campaign ended with a 5-2 defeat to Yemen in Jeddah last Wednesday. Ali Al-Dosari gave Bahrain a seventh-minute lead, but Yemen scored four times before half-time and Rami Al-Wasmani added his second goal deep into stoppage time, the Gulf Daily News reported. Ali Madan scored Bahrain's other goal.
The result left Bahrain fourth in Group B with no points, while Yemen finished third. The UAE topped the group on goal difference after a 1-1 draw with Qatar, with both teams on seven points, according to the Asian Football Confederation.
Asian Cup is the next test
Bahrain's next major assignment is the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they have been drawn in Group B with Uzbekistan, North Korea and Jordan, Reuters said.
The Gulf Cup ends on Tuesday in Jeddah, where hosts Saudi Arabia meet the UAE in the final. Saudi Arabia beat Qatar 3-2 on penalties after a goalless semi-final, with Mukhtar Ali scoring the decisive spot kick, Arab News reported. The UAE beat Oman 1-0 in the other semi-final, the Asian Football Confederation said.
Sources: Reuters (via CNA and The Star); Arab News; Gulf Daily News; Asian Football Confederation
