Zeljko Kopić, coach of Wieczysta Kraków, cited as
By OnzeActu · · 4 min read
Zeljko Kopić, recently appointed head of Wieczysta Kraków without having recorded a single victory, is surprisingly one of the names mentioned to succeed Slaven Bilić as Croatia coach. This candidacy comes at a time when Bilić, Dalic's replacement after the last World Cup, is under heavy pressure following a series of setbacks, including a historic 0-7 defeat against England, the heaviest in the history of the Croatian selection.
Why it matters
Slaven Bilić's situation as Croatia coach has become critical after a historic defeat against England. The national team's disappointing performances prompted calls for change, and Zeljko Kopić's candidacy, despite his lack of success at Wieczysta Kraków, was highlighted by respected figures in Croatian football. This underlines the growing pressure on the Croatian federation to find a coach who can turn things around.
Key points
- Zeljko Kopić, coach of Wieczysta Kraków, cited as.
- Zeljko Kopić, recently appointed head of Wieczysta Kraków without having recorded a single victory, is surprisingly one of the names mentioned to succeed Slaven Bilić as Croatia coach.
- Trenuje Wieczystą, obejmie giganta? Szokująca kandydatura eksperta - Sport.pl.
Arriving after the World Cup to take over from Zlatko Dalić, Bilić began his mandate with a narrow victory against the Czech Republic (2-1), before losing heavily against Spain (1-4) then against England. Public opinion was not long in coming: according to a survey conducted by the Croatian portal index.hr, 66% of more than 20,000 voters believe that it is time for the federation to change coach.
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In this context, an unexpected name emerged in the discussions: that of Zeljko Kopić, current coach of Wieczysta Kraków, a Polish club which has just been promoted to the Ekstraklasa. It was Dumitru Mitu, double Croatian champion with Dinamo Zagreb and respected figure in local football, who mentioned this candidacy on social networks. For Mitu, Kopić would represent the ideal choice, openly opposing the retention of Bilić whom he considers incapable of bringing results.
However, Kopić struggles to convince in Poland. Appointed head of Wieczysta at the end of August, he has still not won a single match: three defeats and two draws are on his record. Despite these results, his knowledge of the Croatian championship should not be overlooked. He has already managed several major clubs in the country, such as Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split. His international career also includes experiences in Bulgaria, Romania – where he was the coach of Dinamo Bucharest for more than 100 matches – and now in Poland.
Despite everything, the appointment of Kopić at the head of the Croatian selection seems highly improbable, even if the federation were to come to a decision with Bilić. His lack of recent results and the difficult context of Wieczysta work against him in a period where Croatia, semi-finalist of the last World Cup, must imperatively raise the bar as the next international events approach.
The rest
As Zeljko Kopić continues to seek his first victory with Wieczysta Kraków in the Ekstraklasa, his name could remain on the discussion table for the position of Croatia coach. The federation will have to evaluate the available options, especially if Bilić's results do not improve. The season promises to be crucial for Kopić, both at club level and in terms of his international ambitions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the score of Croatia's last match against England?
Croatia lost 0-7 against England.
What impact does Croatia's defeat have on Slaven Bilić's position?
The defeat increased the pressure on Slaven Bilić, with 66% of voters wanting a change of coach.
Who is the possible successor to Slaven Bilić?
Zeljko Kopić, current coach of Wieczysta Kraków, is cited as a possible successor.
What is Zeljko Kopić's record with Wieczysta Kraków so far?
Zeljko Kopić has not yet
won a match with Wieczysta, with three defeats and two draws.
When is Wieczysta Kraków's next Ekstraklasa match?
The date of Wieczysta Kraków's next match is not specified in the article.