Gracan steps down at Osijek
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Article summary
Nenad Gracan has resigned as NK Osijek coach due to the financial restraints at the Croatian club.
Article body
Relegation avoided
Gracan was appointed at Osijek only last month as the club's fourth coach of the season after Stanko Poklepovic was sacked. He took charge for five games, steering the team clear of relegation, but had been hoping that the club's financial situation would be better next season.
Players set to strike
However, the 41-year-old, previously in charge of NK Rijeka, HNK Hajduk Split and Slovenia's NK Koper, said he could not continue in the role, revealing that the players were set to strike. "Financial problems remain at the club and nothing was improved by the club board," he said.
'Impossible conditions'
"I talked with team captain Robert Spehar and he said that the whole team had decided to refuse to train until the club paid them the money they owe. After that I realised that I could not work in these conditions so I've decided to leave."