Nikolic honoured by his peers

Sasa Nikolic of FK Zeleznik has been named Yugoslavia's coach of the year for 2002.

Nine votes
In a poll conducted among all 18 top-flight coaches, Nikolic received nine votes. FK Partizan coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic, who led his side to the title, came second.

Nikolic delighted
The award comes midway through Nikolic's debut season as Zeleznik head coach after six years as the club's assistant coach. "I almost cannot believe this is happening to me," he said at a ceremony attended by several Yugoslavian Football Association (FSJ) officials. "I am new in this business. But I have believed in myself and my team."

Up to second place
In just six months in charge Nikolic has established a recognisable playing style at Zeleznik and taken his side to second place in the league and the semi-finals of the Yugoslavian Cup for the first time.

General secretary comments
The 38-year-old started his career as a goalkeeper with NK Dinamo Zagreb and also played for FK Celik in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Zeleznik, and is seen as one of the bright new breed of coaches in Yugoslavia. "We are trying to build Yugoslavian football on new and modern foundations and Zeleznik are proof that Yugoslavia still can create stars and achieve national and international results," said FSJ general secretary Branko Bulatovic.