Ivica Tucak has confirmed he intends to step down as head coach of Croatia men’s national water polo team after the 2028 Summer Olympics, signalling that one of the most successful eras in Croatian water polo is approaching its conclusion.
According to reporting from Sportske Novosti, originally by Vito Tomas, Tucak made the comments while reflecting on Croatia’s future following a disappointing sixth-place finish at the 2026 European Championships in Belgrade.
“There is no dilemma anymore. I don’t have the strength and I can’t continue beyond that,” Tucak said, adding that his health has also been worn down by the pressures surrounding the role.
Croatia underperformed at the European Championships earlier this year, falling short of medal expectations after entering the tournament as one of Europe’s leading contenders. In response, Tucak has already begun planning a squad refresh as focus shifts toward the next major target — Los Angeles 2028.
Tucak first took charge of Croatia in September 2012 and has since overseen one of the most successful eras in the nation’s history. During his tenure, Croatia won world titles in 2017 and 2024, Olympic silver medals in Rio 2016 and Paris 2024, and the European crown in 2022.
He also led the side to multiple additional medals at World and European level, helping Croatia remain among the elite for more than a decade.
Reflecting on the setback in Belgrade, Tucak suggested change was necessary regardless of the result, pointing to the age profile of some players and a sense of fatigue after years of success.
“We would have made this turn anyway because of the biological age of some players, and because I think there was saturation after all the fantastic results of the last two or three years,” he said.
“In sport, nothing should be taken for granted.”
Despite confirming an end date, Tucak insisted his motivation remains intact heading into the final stage of his reign.
“I am still hungry like on the first day.”
Croatia now enter a transitional but intriguing cycle, with senior stars nearing the closing stages of their international careers and a new generation pushing through.
If Tucak can deliver Olympic gold in Los Angeles, it would provide a fitting finale to one of the great coaching tenures in modern water polo.
Source: Sportske Novosti, reporting by Vito Tomas.
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