Valencia turn to former hero Djukić
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
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"I feel calm and ready to do great things here," said 47-year-old ex-Yugoslav international Miroslav Djukić after replacing Ernesto Valverde as coach of his old side Valencia CF.
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Former Valencia CF defender Miroslav Djukić will lead his old side into the 2013/14 campaign after being unveiled as the Liga club's coach for the next two seasons.
The 47-year-old ex-Yugoslav international arrives at Mestalla from Real Valladolid CF to replace Ernesto Valverde, who announced he would not be seeking a new deal after six months in charge of the 2000 and 2001 UEFA Champions League finalists.
A familiar face at Valencia having won Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup honours during a six-year stay with the east-coast team ending in 2003, Djukić's coaching CV boasts spells with Serbia's Under-21s, FK Partizan, R. Excelsior Mouscron and Hércules CF. He most recently guided Valladolid to top-flight safety after first gaining promotion.
Speaking after his appointment by the fifth-placed Liga finishers, the former RC Deportivo La Coruña and CD Tenerife centre-back said: "I'm thrilled to be back home at my club. Coaching Valencia is a dream and I hope to meet everybody's expectations. I have a great job ahead and we will be looking to achieve the club's objectives. I feel calm and ready to do great things here – that's what we will be aiming for."
Valencia, who reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in the season just ended, will compete in the UEFA Europa League next term.
