Bahrain have parted ways with head coach Dragan Talajic by mutual agreement after the team’s early exit from the Gulf Cup. The 61-year-old Croatian, who led Bahrain to the 2024 Gulf Cup title, paid the price after the side lost all their group games, including a shock 5-2 defeat to Yemen.

The Bahrain Football Association confirmed the decision on October 5, thanking Talajic for his service. The federation said a search for a successor will begin immediately, with the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on the horizon. Bahrain are drawn in Group B alongside Uzbekistan, North Korea, and Jordan.

The sacking ends a turbulent spell for the Gulf champions. Fans had turned on the coach after a string of poor results, and the Yemen loss proved the final straw. Whoever takes over will need to rebuild confidence quickly, with competitive fixtures returning soon and expectations still high after the 2024 triumph.