Croatia call time on Kranjčar
Friday, July 14, 2006
Article summary
The Croatian Football Federation has said it is "keeping its options open" after deciding to part company with national team coach Zlatko Kranjčar.
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Zlatko Kranjčar's reign as Croatia coach is over following a meeting of the Croatian Football Federation's executive committee.
World Cup woe
The body voted to dismiss the 49-year-old former NK Dinamo Zagreb and NK Zagreb boss following the national team's failure to progress beyond the group stage at the FIFA World Cup. "I am sorry that Kranjčar will be replaced, but the decision is largely the result of Kranjčar's comments after the World Cup that he didn't do anything wrong and would do the same again," explained FA president Vlatko Marković.
Two-year tenure
Croatia finished third in Group F in Germany after losing to Brazil and drawing with both Japan and Australia. Kranjčar had taken the helm in the wake of a UEFA EURO 2004™ campaign that also ended in disappointment at the group stage, succeeding the veteran Otto Barić. His record shows eleven wins, eight draws and six defeats. Of his possible replacement, Marković added: "We have two excellent candidates from abroad but we are confident that there are quality coaches in Croatia too. Our options are open."
