Celje’s new coach Damir Krznar won’t interfere too much with Alberto Riera’s work: ‘Any coach would continue this way of working’

Published on 11. October 2023 11. October 2023

If you can’t beat it, join it… Damir Krznar has taken the idea very seriously: he’s the new coach
Celje
who had only once brought him to his knee in five attempts on the Maribor bench. It is interesting to note that he was sacked only a few days ago for poor results with Maribor, but has now been hired by a club that wants to be champions. A lot of things don’t seem logical, but Celje has no doubts about their decision. And Damir Krznar also believes that he will succeed in what Albert Riera has repeatedly predicted out loud – that Celje will be champions.

“I am happy, content, proud. I would like to thank the club for the trust it has placed in me. It is up to me to rebuild that trust. We have everything we need. We have a great team. We have a great group of hard-working people behind us. Celje has a great tradition. There hasn’t been a trophy in this stadium for a long time. This is communicated as if it were the first objective, which is why we have accepted this role. We want a trophy and I believe that with this team we can win it this season,“, Damir Krznar emphasised loudly on his arrival in the capital that he is interested in winning laurels.

Damir Krznar: “A ship that sails really well”

Damir Krznar should have little trouble adapting to his new environment. It’s true that he has taken over a new team, but he has nevertheless – albeit from the opposite side – familiarised himself with it. “On the other hand, we could see that Celje is a very good team. They have proved it. Now it is we who are at the helm of this ship that is sailing really well. We are first in the rankings. The aim is to keep it there. We have the staff to do it. I believe the atmosphere in the team will be good. To help the team connect quickly with the professional staff. The core of the expert staff will remain the same, but we will add two or three individuals. We can’t wait for tomorrow to start in earnest. The first training session is what every coach can’t wait for. We feel most comfortable on the green. The first day cannot come soon enough,” said an expert from neighbouring Croatia at the launch.

It is not far from the truth that Damir Krznar will be under special scrutiny of the fans also because Albert Riera gave him a Lamborghini, as the Spaniard put it so vividly about the Celje team. That is why the former Dinamo Zagreb player is determined not to tinker with the well-established structure.

No reason for big changes

“There is no reason to make any big changes to the way the game has been played under Alberto Riera’s leadership. The coach was not replaced because of bad results, but vice versa, the results were very good. I believe that any coach, and I will be one, would simply continue with this way of working. I will add an idea of my own and my own thinking. But we will go step by step, so as not to destroy what has worked,” says the 51-year-old, who has managed Maribor in 54 matches, recording 27 wins and 14 defeats.

Damir Krznar will make his debut on the Celje bench on 21 October, when his new team will play away in Rogaška Slatina. “The good thing for us is that we have plenty of time before the first showdown. It is enough to get to know the team and for them to know our requirements. Rogaska was an unfavourable opponent when I was coach of Maribor. Tough game, tough away, tough opponent. I am confident that we will prepare the team well and that we will have a good performance already in this match. And, of course, crowned it with a good result,” concluded the new coach of the leading club
of the Telemach First League
.