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Melbourne Knights Football Club is pleased to announce that Aljosa Asanovic has been named as the club’s new Manager for the 2018 NPL season. Asanovic will be joined by Dean Racunica who will be the club’s Senior Assistant Coach.
Asanovic, who has 62 international caps for Croatia – is best known for his incredible performances during the France 98’ FIFA World Cup where he lead his homeland to a bronze medal.
His club career is also well distinguished having spells at Hajduk Split, Montpellier, Napoli, Panathinaikos and highlighted by playing in the EPL for Derby County.
Recently, Asanovic was Slaven Bilic’s assistant for the Croatian national team culminating in leading the team to Euro 2008 and later joining him at FC Lokomotiv Moscow.
Racunica, also a former Croatian National team player made a name for himself as a player and later as assistant manager of Hajduk Split. Racunica was also successful with the national team filling the role of opposition scout at Euro 2008 and beyond.
Both, Asanovic and Racunica hold the UEFA Pro Licence coaching accreditation. A UEFA Pro Licence enables a person holding that qualification the ability to coach at the all levels within the game, from the youngest junior right through to the World Cup.
Asanovic and Racunica accepted the offer of joining the Knights almost immediately after arriving in Melbourne two days ago due to the exceptionality of the challenge. Both are committed to lifting the level of the club’s coaching delivery for the benefit of all of the club’s players, not only the senior team. The club’s long time Technical Director Robert Krajacic has recommitted to the club in 2018 and the Croatian coaching duo of Asanovic and Racunica hope to work in synergy with all of the local coaches and players from the youngest boys and girls right through to the seniors.
Asanovic says: “Myself and Dean are not here for a holiday. We are here to build a side that is capable of achieving success not only next year, but beyond that. We want to make a positive long term impact on this club and the football landscape here. We are here to work hard and bring this club back to where it belongs, which is one of the biggest football clubs in Australia.”
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