Bazdarevic bids farewell to Istres
Monday, January 10, 2005
Article summary
Mehmet Bazdarevic has quit as coach of FC Istres to be replaced by Xavier Gravelaine and Jean-Louis Gasset.
Article body
Four points adrift
The 44-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovnian resigned 48 hours before the team's first league game of 2005, against AS Monaco FC, with Istres four points adrift at the foot of the table and out of both national cup competitions.
Hard times
Bazdarevic, who was appointed in June 2003 and led the side into the top flight for the first time in his debut season, said: "We knew it would be difficult after promotion to Ligue 1, but I still thought we had a chance of staying up. Maybe my departure will help to revitalise us."
Double act
Former French international Gravelaine, 36, returns to the club as joint-coach alongside the experienced Gasset, 53. The pair have signed five-month contracts and directed first-team training today. Gravelaine was Istres' playmaker during their promotion-winning campaign but left to join Swiss side FC Sion. He has since retired from playing and will coach the squad together with former Montpellier Hérault SC boss Gasset.
