Ex-Union-Coach nun in Zagreb
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The release from Union Berlin at the beginning of May kept coach Nenad Bjelica busy. The 53-year-old explained this in a “Sport1“-Interview. For him, however, he is already looking forward again: the Croatian double winner Dinamo Zagreb introduced Bjelica as Sergej Jakirovic’s successor at the end of September.
“The dismissal from Union was not easy for me. But I accepted it professionally and looked for a new path. I felt very comfortable at Union Berlin. We achieved our big goal of staying in the league after I took over the team in a very difficult situation. This was really not an easy task. “Union was the most difficult job in my career,” explained Bjelica, who has “nothing to blame himself for.” With the exception of his indiscipline against Leroy Sané (28) from FC Bayern.
Fischer, Bjelica & Co. All coaches from Union Berlin Overview The Croatian collected 1.09 points per game with the Iron Men (in 22 games); he had taken over from Union for successful coach Urs Fischer and interim solution Marco Grote. During his tenure, there were increasing reports of alleged problems between Bjelica and the team given the coach’s tougher line. What the person concerned doesn’t want to leave behind today. “My relationship with the players was perfect,” Bjelica made clear. “There were no problems with the players. My relationship with the team was intact. I am still in touch with several players and they have congratulated me on my new job. This was deliberately portrayed differently in the media. I can’t influence something like that; I can only do my job.”
Bjelica admitted, however, that she had chosen a different speech than her predecessor Fischer. “I was the perfect solution for Union at this stage. I am someone who addresses everything clearly. I tell every player the truth to their faces. The truth hurts sometimes. But the clubs call me when there are problems,” said the former Bundesliga professional. “Sometimes as a coach you have to go into conflict. I like a family atmosphere in the team, but sometimes you have to be louder in the family too. Maybe this didn’t go over so well with some people. In the end, only one thing counts: Union Berlin continues to play in the Bundesliga. Union Berlin achieved that with coach Nenad Bjelica.” He never wanted to be a fisherman.
Although he has now landed at Dinamo Zagreb for the second time and signed for several years, Bjelica has not finally ticked off the German upper house: “It’s not over yet. Now I work at Dinamo Zagreb and I would like to return to the Bundesliga. I am convinced that this will happen. The Bundesliga is a wonderful league. Hats off to everything that makes this league special. I’m sure I’ll get to the Bundesliga again. But now I’m only interested in Dinamo Zagreb.”
