Dinamo Zagreb management and coaching changes

Internal power struggles and management shifts have emerged at Dinamo Zagreb following the 2025 appointment of football director Albert Capellas. Capellas, acting under Zvonimir Boban, has reportedly expanded his decision-making authority to include the first team, leading to friction over squad management and coaching autonomy.

These tensions resulted in the departure of coach Mario Kovačević on November 1, 2026. Following this vacancy, Spanish media outlets, including Sport and Mundo Deportivo, reported that Pol Planas, a coach from the Barcelona academy, had accepted an offer to become the new head coach. This potential appointment was reportedly supported by Capellas.

However, by November 9, 2026, the club altered its coaching plan. Although Planas had reportedly signed a contract to lead the first team, club president Zvonimir Boban decided to retain interim coach Jerko Leko, who recently led the team to a 2:0 Europa League victory against Sunderland. Under a new compromise, Planas will join the club’s sporting structure in a different capacity to familiarize himself with the local culture and methodology, rather than immediately taking the head coaching role. His future as head coach remains dependent on the team’s sporting performance.