Mario Kovačević new coach of Dinamo

Dinamo's team will be led by a new head coach in the upcoming season - Mario Kovačević. The former Slaven Belupo coach has formally taken over the position of the coach of Dinamo's main team, which will start preparations for the new competitive year on June 18.

Kovačević comes after a notable season in which his Slaven Belupo team reached the final of the SuperSport Croatian Cup, finishing in 5th place in the championship race, while managing to create a clear vision of the game with attractive football and tactical discipline.

Kovačević was born on May 17, 1975 in Doljani, a settlement in the municipality of Jablanica in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He built his playing career as a midfielder in Sarajevo, due to the war events he came to Croatia and played for Varteks, Belišće, Slaven Belupo, Međimurje, then for the Slovenian Nafta from Lendava and the Albanian Dinamo from Tirana. He has been involved in coaching since 2014 when he took over the bench of his former club, Međimurje. He then led Varaždin where he took over the senior team, and also worked with younger age groups. He also coached Polet from Sveti Martin na Muri, Podravina from Ludbreg, again Međimurje, and made a significant coaching impact in the SuperSport HNL with Varaždin and Slaven Belupo.

It is fascinating that coach Kovačević managed to promote five of his clubs from the third to the second league, and then with Varaždin secured promotion to the elite level. 

Mario Kovačević arrives at Dinamo with visible enthusiasm and optimism, along with a clear vision of the game he would like to implement in the team.

– First of all, I want to thank Dinamo for the trust and the opportunity to lead the biggest and most successful Croatian club. I am aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with this role. I am also aware of doubts, they are part of everyday football, but personally I have none. With a lot of faith and courage, I will live this greatest football challenge. I don't know any other way... Dinamo must play modern, fast and attractive football, I deeply believe that we will succeed in that. – highlighted coach Kovačević.

The entire GNK Dinamo believes in this collaboration and will do everything to make this a long-term and successful project. Welcome Mario!