Partizan replace Grant with Vermezović
Friday, May 18, 2012
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Avram Grant has resigned as FK Partizan coach, ending his five-month spell in charge of the Serbian champions, who have appointed former boss Vladimir Vermezović as his replacement.
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Serbian champions FK Partizan have accepted coach Avram Grant's resignation and have appointed Vladimir Vermezović in his stead.
Former Chelsea FC manager Grant will be on the Partizan bench for the last time when they play FK Metalac on Sunday in their final league game of the season. "I made the decision for private reasons," Grant said. "I spent five nice months with Partizan and this club will always have a place in my heart."
Partizan wasted no time in identifying Grant's replacement by agreeing a three-year contract with Vermezović. The 49-year-old former Partizan midfielder returns for a second spell at the helm and joins from South African club Kaiser Chiefs FC, where he spent the last three seasons.
Vermezović said: "It's always a great pleasure to be back and working at home. Partizan is my second home and I am very proud to get another chance. Our priority will be domestic trophies, but European competitions are always special and we'll try to play to our best in those."
Partizan also named new a director of sport in Ljubiša Tumbaković – the most successful coach in the club's history with six domestic championships and three Serbian Cups. He replaces Mladen Krstajić in the role. Partizan won their fifth straight title this season and will play in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds this summer.
