Jurcevic steps in for Blazevic

UEFA - Nikola Jurcevic has signed a two-year contract to replace Miroslav Blazevic as coach of Croatian champions NK Dinamo Zagreb. 

Boardroom rift
Jurcevic was announced as the club's new coach today after Blazevic - the man who led Croatia to the semi-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France - left following a disagreement with board. A dispute between Blazevic and vice-president Zdravko Mamic was alleged to have caused the rift, although Mamic was keen to point out that the coach had left the club at his own request. 

'I was shocked'
"Miroslav Blazevic said to me and to chairman Mirko Barisic that he wanted to leave Dinamo Zagreb last week before the charity game between Dinamo Zagreb and [HNK] Hajduk Split," Mamic said. "I was shocked by that decision. We called a club board meeting and we accepted his resignation and named the new coach, Nikola Jurcevic, ahead of candidates like Zlatko Kranjcar and Nenad Gracan." 

'No offers yet'
Blazevic was not in attendance at the meeting, having travelled to Pristina in Kosovo to take part in the charity game. Having led Dinamo to the Croatian title, he has yet to announce any plans for the future, saying: "I have had no offers yet, but I think that is because everyone thinks that I have a solid contract with Dinamo Zagreb. That should be different now." 

I am aware that they are expecting much from me, so it will be a big challenge 

Nikoka Jurcevic is the new coach of NK Dinamo Zagreb (©empics)

Nikola Jurcevic 

Croatian career
Blazevic's repacement, Jurcevic, has crossed over to Dinamo from their local rivals NK Zagreb whom he led to sixth place in the Croatian top flight last season. The 37-year-old won 19 caps for the Croatia, playing in the 1996 UEFA European Championship and France 98.

'My favourite club'
"After 15 years I am coming back to Dinamo Zagreb," he said. "It is my favourite club where I developed as a player, so it's a great honour for me to be Diamo Zagreb coach. I am aware that they are expecting much from me, so it will be a big challenge."