Krešić takes command at Hajduk

As expected, Sergej Krešić has been named as the new coach of Croatian giants HNK Hajduk Split following the dismissal of Ivan Pudar on Wednesday.

Big test
The Croatian coach enjoyed his most notable successes in Spain where he was in charge of Real Betis Balompié, RCD Mallorca and Real Valladolid CF among others. He has signed a contract which will take him up to the end of the 2009/10 season, saying: "This will be the biggest challenge of my career. Hajduk is a kind of religion in Croatia and this is what helped me to decide to come here. That, of course, and the fact that I want to help Hajduk." Club chairman Branko Grgić added. "We brought a real expert and we think that he is our long-term solution." Hajduk trail Sampdoria UC 1-0 from the home leg of their UEFA Cup second qualifying round tie which concludes on Thursday.