Hajduk Split - Awakening A European Giant

2013-04-21 18:39#93832 Gashead : Nice update. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

Thanks Gashead

LJO200:

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I have an inkling Kovac might become manager, but I don't know why...

Nah, me neither

very nice start Blue as always will be good to see you turn them into a top European force good luckk

2013-04-21 19:39#93856 MarkKolatowicz : very nice start Blue as always will be good to see you turn them into a top European force good luckk

Cheers Mark! Good to see you following

Kovac Signs For Hajduk

Croatia under-21s manager Niko Kovac has resigned from his post with the national side to take over 1. HNL side Hajduk Split, effective immediately. This comes very quickly after the sacking of Miso Krsticevic, almost as if this move was planned.

This is Kovac's first senior club management job, although he has managed the youth side at Red Bull Salzburg, as well as being the assistant manager there for the 2011-12 season. He left after that campaign, to join Croatia and their under-21 side last month. He did not play a game in charge of the under-21s, and obviously feels Hajduk is a job much more suited to his talents. His lack of club management experience has lead some critics to wonder whether this appointment is the right one for Hajduk, but after seven years without winning the league, Hajduk have to try something different, and Kovac could be just the man for the job. He has been around for a long time, and has seen how a lot of clubs are run, so is expected to use the best of each club at Hajduk as he aims to take them to the very top of world football.

Kovac is rumoured to be on £1.1k per week until the end of June 2013. This gives him just over a year to prove himself to the hierarchy at Bili and earn a new contract with the club from Split. Many fans are hoping that he can guide their team to their first league success since 2005, and break Dinamo's spell of dominance.

Blimey! Never saw that coming! Who would have thought Kovac would have become manager!?!

Keep it up Ben, the story seems to be taking shape now, can't wait for the next update!

2013-04-21 20:02#93871 Devil. : Blimey! Never saw that coming! Who would have thought Kovac would have become manager!?!

Keep it up Ben, the story seems to be taking shape now, can't wait for the next update!

Well you'll have to, as it's not ready yet

Nice update Keep it up!

Great start Ben, I'll be following!

Yay, nice to see a running Blue story on the site again. Good luck, and hey, 5 years time (roughly), we could be seeing Real Madrid or something against Hajduk Split in the UEFA Champions League Final.

2013-04-22 15:31#93980 lolbaconboy : Yay, nice to see a running Blue story on the site again. Good luck, and hey, 5 years time (roughly), we could be seeing Real Madrid or something against Hajduk Split in the UEFA Champions League Final.

Thanks Bacon maybe against Crawley, you never know

Good start as always Blue and Bacons right, I wouldn't be too suprised to see Hajduk in the champions league against the big boys

Kovac's First Press Interview

J - Journalist

NK - Niko Kovac

J - So Niko. You're now in your first club management job. How does it feel to be trusted with this responsibility?

NK - Obviously being at a club like Hajduk is massive, and many people will think I'm not up to the task, but I am determined to prove them wrong.

J - What is your first priority here at Hajduk then Niko?

NK - Well, I have two really. Firstly, I want to win the league title back from Dinamo, to finally break their stream of domination. Secondly, I want to sort out the financial situation here. We can't progress as a club if we have no money, so we need to sort that out quickly and efficiently. Loan repayments are due to begin within a matter of days, and the loan should be repaid within a year.

J - Having had a look at the squad now, what area do you think needs the most improvement?

NK - I've had a look at the squad report my assistant sent me, and it definitely looks like our weak link is up front. I've had a look around the various markets, and outlined my targets to the board. Now we just have to wait and see which one signs for us.

J - Realistically, how far do you think Hajduk can go as a club?

NK - I know we haven't had the best of times of it in recent years, but everything is in place for us to finally break the habit of coming second, and get back on top in Croatia. I also think under the right management, this club can go right the way to the top of world football, and I want to be here to see it happen.

J - That's all we've got time for I'm afraid Niko. It's been a pleasure meeting you, and I wish all the best for your time here in Split.

NK - Great to meet you too, I'm sure we'll see each other again some time soon, so bye until then!

Nice interview, an amazing start! I am almost wet over the thought of how good this story can become!

2013-04-22 20:14#94061 Justice96 : Nice interview, an amazing start! I am almost wet over the thought of how good this story can become!

That sounded quite weird

Definitely need some new underwear on reading that. If updates keep coming as good as them, I'm out to buy some nappies.

Excellent update Ben, keep them coming.