Sports director Marić and coach Perković: We want to be more dominant in the HNL and more competitive in Europe

Dinamo's goal is to be even more dominant in domestic competitions and more competitive on the European scene. That is the basic guiding thought in choosing a new head coach who will replace the current strategist, Sergej Jakirović, on the blue bench. Temporarily, the team will be led by Jakirović's former assistant Sandro Perković, who will thus lead the team onto the field in Koprivnica on Saturday at 17:30 in the 7th round of the SuperSport HNL against Slaven Belupo. On this occasion, sports director Marko Marić and coach Perković addressed the press.

- We thank coach Jakirović for his work and the results he has achieved so far, which is something that remains eternal, indisputable. With his results, he has set the bar high. We must honestly say that he has left the team in a much better state than when he found it, we have made progress, but in the long run, we want to strive to be even more dominant in the Croatian Football League and more competitive in Europe. The team will be led by Sandro Perković for the time being, a young coach with great potential. He has been in our system for a long time, knows the team exceptionally well, and we know that it is in good hands. He has great quality, a very broad range, and we have no reason to worry. Behind closed doors, we are in the process of analyzing and talking to potential candidates. When we find a coach who meets all the criteria, we will make a decision and inform you in a timely manner.

Journalists were interested in what criteria will be used to select the head coach and whether among the candidates are those whose names have been mentioned in the media?

- When we talk about potential player reinforcements, we never directly mention names in public, so we will not do so now when looking for a head coach. We do not speculate with names in public, Dinamo is a big club and that would not be serious. We do all the analysis behind closed doors, we will communicate everything in a timely manner. We have a clear picture of what the Dinamo coach should be like. We will definitely take the necessary time to find the ideal candidate. The criteria are clear, which means developing the game, dealing with pressure, knowing how to lead a team that should have dominance almost always, in every game we go for the win. As a club, we have high demands.

When asked by a journalist about Dinamo not looking like a team that is a sovereign champion even in the last league match, in a tight defeat at Maksimir against Hajduk, sports director Marić added:

- You have to know that this is always a critical period for Dinamo, after qualifying for the Champions League because those are the matches that determine a lot in terms of the future, there is enormous pressure and stress. Historically, the crisis period is September, October or November, it is not easy after emotional draining. After the risky match against Qarabag in the Champions League play-offs, we had league matches against Rijeka and Hajduk, it is very difficult for the players and the coach to constantly be dominant and achieve the results we want. Every top team goes through a crisis at some point.

When choosing a new head coach, whether they are a domestic or foreign expert will not be crucial.

– We are in talks with potential candidates and we do not have limiting factors regarding whether the expert is domestic or foreign. Football is a global sport, all candidates are considered. We will focus solely on quality.

When asked if there is a financial limit, Marić replied:

- In every serious club there are financial limits, a budget that we have at our disposal, but you must know that price is not the only guarantee of quality. If we pay a high price for something, it doesn't mean that it is of high quality. There are many examples where this was not the case. We want to build a serious Dinamo, and if we find a candidate who is top-notch, and also more expensive, we will find the resources - concluded sports director Marić.

Therefore, the team will be led to Koprivnica by coach Sandro Perković, who publicly thanked his former colleague, the head of the coaching staff, at the beginning.

- In my personal capacity and on behalf of the guys from the headquarters, I want to thank coach Jakirović and the current colleagues from the headquarters - Marin Ivančić, Marko Salatović, and Anđelo Roguljić. We have worked together for a long time, been through tough moments... In football, the most important thing is the result, and entering the Champions League says it all. Unfortunately, in football and professionalism, partings are part of the job, we must be prepared for that. This team is experienced and of super quality, and I believe that on Saturday they will react in the right way. It was hard for me that Jakirović left because, as I said, we worked together for a long time, but I am a Dinamo member and as much as the club needs me, I am available. With my associates, I will do everything in the best intention to look good on Saturday.

What is the condition of the players after a heavy defeat in Munich?

- It wasn't easy for them, defeat is hard and painful, and believe me, it hit them the hardest. We experienced a blackout, one of our coaches whom I greatly respect, Ilija Lončarević, used to say that in football there is no yesterday, only tomorrow. This especially applies when things are good, but also when they are bad. We can't change anything now, we just have to be at the right level on Saturday to get back on the winning track. Dinamo is a club that knows how to win, that is used to winning and that will win. The beauty of sport is that it gives you a new opportunity to get up from the floor, dust yourself off and start winning again. The players emotionally said goodbye to coach Jakirović and then had a good training session...

He did not want to speak specifically about any potential changes within the team at this time.

- And this time, as after every match, we have some minor injury problems. I won't mention names, but we will see the detailed situation after training. Personally, that last training is very important to me, I need to see the energy, desire, willingness, who is ready to give their absolute maximum in Koprivnica where a demanding match awaits us. Slaven Belupo is a team that is far above their current position on the table in terms of quality. Therefore, their game is much better than their current point performance, and at the end of the transfer window, they brought in several proven, established players - concluded coach Perković.