Igor Biscan appointed UAE U23 coach as Zlatko Dalic rumours persist

Igor Biscan has been appointed as the UAE Under-23 coach, as speculation grows about Zlatko Dalic potentially becoming the new national team manager. The UAE Football Association confirmed Biscan's appointment on Sunday night. The Croatian former international will lead the U23 squad, joining an entirely new technical team assembled for the UAE.

Biscan previously served as Croatia U21 coach under Dalic for four years. After leaving his Croatia role due to the team's elimination from the World Cup group stage, Dalic has been linked to the UAE position since. He led Croatia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final and to third place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The UAE are searching for a new manager following the dismissal of Cosmin Olaroiu, who was unable to secure the nation's World Cup qualification.

Dalic, 59, has strong ties to the UAE, having managed Al Ain from 2014 to 2017. Reports suggest he turned down offers from South Korea and Saudi Arabia to pursue the UAE opportunity. Other potential members of Dalic's coaching team include former Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, who could become the UAE's goalkeeping coach, Branko Ivankovic, who may take on a role with the UAE FA, and Drazen Ladic and former Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka.

The UAE national team will compete in the Gulf Cup from September 23 to October 6 and the Asian Cup in January, both hosted in Saudi Arabia.