After Fabio Cannavaro was dismissed, Dinamo Zagreb began its search for a new coach. Numerous names were mentioned in the media, with Vedran Ćorluka emerging as a serious candidate.

The legendary Croatian international was approached by Dinamo, and the club invited him for talks. Ćorluka visited Maksimir and told his former club that he would consider the offer and get back to them.

However, Zlatko Dalić’s assistant coach in the national team decided overnight that he would not take the role at Dinamo and return to Maksimir as their coach, according to 24sata.

Vedran Ćorluka was born in Derventa (Bosnia and Herzegovina), but he grew up and developed his football career in Croatia. He started his football journey in the youth academy of Dinamo Zagreb, where he made his debut for the first team in 2003.

After a brief loan spell at Inter Zaprešić, Ćorluka quickly established himself as a reliable defender at Dinamo, primarily playing as a centre-back but also as a right-back. His talent and stability led to a transfer to Manchester City in 2007, during the club's rise. He spent one season there before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, where he became a regular starter and a fan favourite.

In 2012, Ćorluka transferred to Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, where he spent 9 years, becoming one of the club’s key players and eventually a club legend. With Lokomotiv, he won the Russian Cup and Premier League, and he became a leader in defence, mentoring younger players.

He made his debut for the Croatian national team in 2006 and earned 103 caps during his international career.

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