Fomer Staff: Halilhodžić in Croatia

Manager of the Stade Rennais between October 2002 and June 2003, Vahid Halilhodžić has signed a contract with Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. He was free of any contract since his last experience with the Ivorian National Team, of which he was sacked in March after an unexpected defeat in the African Nations Cup’s quarter finals, a few months only before the World Cup and despite a convincing summary of only one defeat in 25 matches.

After managing in the Bosnian (Velež Mostar, 1990 to 1992), Moroccan (Raja Casablanca, 1997-1998), Turkish (Trabzonspor, 2005-2006) and Saudi (Al-Ittihad , July to November 2006), he will managed his sixth team out of France with Dinamo Zagreb, a team Rennes had encountered in December 2007 in the UEFA Cup (1-1, goal by M’Bia for Rennes).

In Brittany, Halilhodžić arrived with a difficult mission: Save the Stade Rennais from a looming relegation to Ligue 2. Replacing Philippe Bergeroo, “Coach Vahid” was highly influential in the “Rouge et Noir”’s success in staying up, after a victory against Montpellier on the last game week. Offered to remain in Rennes, he refused the Pinault family’s proposal, and left after he received a financial jackpot for meeting his targets.