Čačić head coach and Šimunić his assistant – charade continues
With the qualifications for EURO 2016 on the line and UEFA’s disciplinary measures confirmed, one would think the whole process of selecting the new national football team manager would have been done in a studious manner, only the best available names would be mentioned and that, at least with the selection of a qualified football expert, we would be one step closer to reaching this competition. But alas, this is Croatia and unless you have good connections to “we all know who”, chances are not only will you not find yourself on the short list, you will never be even considered.
Even though minutes after Niko Kovač resigned, got fired or which ever version you want to believe, one name popped up as the candidate, that of Ante Čačić, coach of Lokomotiva, team also known as Dinamo 2. Šuker immediately got on the defensive stating that many other candidates will be interviewed as he and his right hand man Romeo Jozić will travel across the country to find a replacement for Kovač.
Such a lovely couple – Mamić and Čačić
And then the circus started. Will we get a foreign coach? No we can’t afford one. Will there be other candidates in the running? Of course, Davor Šuker and Romeo Jozak continued their “scouting mission” since the decision deadline is September 21st. A second name came up, that of Zoran Vulić, current coach of NK Split. Vulić already has experience with the National team since he worked as an assistant coach, managed the U19 team, and he represents a much bigger name in Croatian football than Čačić. We cannot forget that mentioning a coach from Split as one of the candidates will finally calm down those “annoying Dalmatians” who are always whining about not being treated equally by the National Football Federation.
Zoran Vulić
Polls were conducted in the papers, online, TV crews were interviewing people to pick their favourite between the two, and to absolutely no surprise Vulić was in the lead. But, even though both Jozak and Šuker confirmed they will indeed talk to Vulić, it never went further than one phone call. Jozak cancelled his visit to Split due to an “illness”, Šuker kept silent. Vulić publicly stated that he is sorry he ever got dragged into this whole parade since it was clear they never had any intention of signing him and thanked his team of NK Split for support and understanding.
So, we await tonight’s league game between Split and Lokomotiva and the showdown of two manager candidates Vulić and Čačić. Upon hearing that Čačić will install Joe Šimunić as his assistant (yes, the very same one who was sanctioned by UEFA and banned from playing for the team for his own stupid outburst after the win against Island, and spare me the history lessons, opera arias and simmilar conotations now, please), all we can do is roll our eyes and give a suggestion – why don’t you just call it Mamic’s team instead of the Croatian national football team, rename Maksimir into Croatia’s official stadium and get it over and done with.
La commedia é finita! Or is it just beginning?
