Summer refits for Maribor and Domžale
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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With the 2008/09 Slovenian season kicking off on 19 July, the appointment of new coaches at NK Maribor and champions NK Domžale has caused a summer stir.
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Domžale refit
Six of the ten top-flight sides have elected for a change of coach since the season ended on 31 May, with only runners-up FC Koper, cup winners NK IB Ljubljana, newcomers NK Rudar Velenje and NK Nafta Lendava - who only appointed boss Damir Rob at the beginning of April - sticking to their coaching guns. Perhaps the most significant of all the changes was Slavisa Stojanović's decision to leave champions Domžale. The club have also lost top scorer Dario Zahora and sporting director Nenad Protega, but new coach Robert Pevnik - who saved NK Drava from relegation last season - remains calm. "The core of the squad will remain untouched," he said. "We may add some younger players, but we still want to be the champions."
Celje influx
Having led Domžale to successive titles in the last two seasons, Stojanović has stood down after six years to accept a new challenge with NK Celje. Formerly NK Publikum, Celje have had a miserable time in the last two seasons but hope the arrival of the highly-rated coach can help them turn the corner. Stojanović will be joined by a new general manager, Simon Seslar, following his retirement from professional football, and some useful new recruits on the field like Spasoje Bulajič, Sebastjan Gobec, Aleš Kačičnik, Aleš Puš and Milan Andjelković.
Slovenia team-mates
Also making major signings are Maribor, who are looking to construct a team worthy of their newly refurbished Ljudski Vrt Stadium. Sporting director Zlatko Zahovič has hired his former captain in his days as a Slovenia player, Darko Milanič, as the club's new coach, and the former NK Gorica trainer will have the talents of David Bunderla, newly arrived from NK Primorje, at his command in 2008/09. "We have to work hard," Milanič said. "I am aware of the pressure at Maribor. This is the biggest club in Slovenia. The fans will support the team if we play good football. They can also be critical but I like that. It is better to work in such circumstances than at a club with passive environment." Meanwhile, Primoz Gliha replaced Milanič as Gorica coach while NK Drava and NK Primorje hired Ljubinko Drulović and Pavel Pinni, late of Celje, as their new coaches.