Bahrain part ways with Talajic after Gulf Cup title defence collapses

Bahrain have parted ways with manager Dragan Talajic by mutual agreement following the defending champions’ early exit from the Arabian Gulf Cup, the country’s football association (BFA) said on Monday.

The 61-year-old Croatian led Bahrain to the title in 2024, but the Reds lost all three of their group-stage matches at this year’s 27th edition of the tournament, Khaleeji 27, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain’s collapse was sealed by a 3-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates, with Ousmane scoring in the 30th minute before Guilherme (66’) and Ali Saleh (88’) completed the rout. Talajic, who has led Bahrain since February 2024, refused to blame his players after the UAE defeat.

“I take responsibility for everything, because I am the one who chooses the players who take part,” he said. “When we win, the players are the heroes and I stand behind them, and when bad things happen, as has happened now, I stand in front of them, and everyone can blame me.”

Bahrain now turn their attention to the 2027 Asian Cup, also in Saudi Arabia, where they have been drawn in Group B alongside Uzbekistan, North Korea and Jordan.