Friday, July 11, 2008

BOSNIA APPOINTS MIROSLAV BLAZEVIC AS NEW NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM COACH

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (July 11,2008) - Miroslav Blazevic was appointed yesterday as the new coach of the Bosnian naational fotball team, the Bosnian Football Association executive board said.

Bosnia-born Blazevic, the former coach of Croatia and Iran, is a surprise replacement for Meho Kodro, who was sacked in May.

"I will do my best to justify the confidence I was trusted and I am aware that it will not be an easy task," Blazevic was quoted as saying to the Bosnian state television.

Blazevic beat three other candidates shortlisted by the board, having ended his latest coaching stint with NK Zagreb in May.

The 73-year-old Blazevic, who was born in the central Bosnian town of Travnik, achieved his greatest coaching success when he led Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup.

His first match in charge will be a friendly against Bulgaria in the central Bosnian city of Zenica on August 20.

"I do not have much time but I will use it rationally and I am sure that I will manage to call up the best players and satisify the Bosnian soccer fans," Blazevic added.

Meho Kodro, former national team captain, was sacked after only four months at the helm when he refused to lead the team in a friendly against Iran, saying he had not been notified about the fixture in time.

His dismissal had prompted protests by Bosnian media, fan groups and players who accused the Bosnian Football Association officials of corruption and demanded that they step down.
.

No comments: