Hajduk has finally named the new trainer of the club after the dismissal of Joan Carrillo last week.
Hajduk has confirmed their new trainer!
Željko Kopić, who completed his negotiations with the club on Sunday, has officially been announced as the new trainer of Hajduk in a press conference this morning, reports Gol.hr on November 13, 2017.
“We are presenting the new trainer of HNK Hajduk Split, Mr. Kopić. One of the most promising coaches has become the coach of Hajduk. I congratulate him, and I would like to welcome him,” said Ivan Kos, president of the Split club.
HNK Hajduk
“Thank you for your welcome and the invitation to Hajduk, I feel great respect and responsibility. I’m sure that I will do my best to transfer my ideas to the team and to make Hajduk a team that everyone loves and respects,” said the new coach.
Funnily enough, Kopić could have been the coach of Hajduk a few years ago after the club wanted to bring him over twice – once in the summer of 2015 and again in the summer of 2016. The coach and the club were never able to reach an agreement.
Kopić is one of the most talented Croatian coaches today, and the clubs he has worked with in the past emphasize his study, determination, and tactical skill. He can also boast that he beat Hajduk with three of his former clubs (Lučko, Zagreb, Slaven Belupo).
“I want to watch an attacking and aggressive Hajduk, but also a Hajduk who can connect their legs, heart and head, who will go head to head for real impact, but also have enough tactical discipline to guide the course of the game where we want,” added Kopić.
A bit about the new coach
Kopić took over Lučko after a disastrous opening to their first and only season in the Croatian First League (2011/2012), and although they started to collect points after his arrival, the damage was far too great to reverse.
Although the official coach was president Dražen Medić, Kopić is also the one responsible for bringing Zagreb to fifth place in their first season back in the Croatia First League two years ago.
Kopić then received a call from Slaven Belupo and made a move to Koprivnica where he achieved the most significant success in his coaching career. During his time at Belupo, Kopić brought the club to the Cup Final where they, unfortunately, lost to Dinamo.
Kopić’s assistants will be Zlatko Bašić and Toni Golem, while the goalkeeper coach remains Tihomir Bulat. Jakov Previšić will lead the team in fitness.
Coach Kopić will have the first training with the team this afternoon, and his premiere performance with Hajduk will be on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 18:00 in Pula against Istra 1961.
Translated from Gol.hr
