Crvena Zvezda look to old hero Prosinečki

Robert Prosinečki has been appointed the new coach of FK Crvena Zvezda, the Serbian side with whom he won the 1991 European Champion Clubs' Cup in his playing days.

The 41-year-old former Yugoslavia and Croatia midfielder becomes the fourth man at the Crvena Zvezda helm this season. He follows in the footsteps of Vladimir Petrović, Ratko Dostanić and Aleksandar Kristić, who resigned yesterday with the team five points adrift of Super League leaders FK Partizan at the winter break and seeking their first title since 2006/07. It is Prosinečki's first job as a head coach, though he assisted Slaven Bilić for four years with Croatia's national team.

"I am delighted," Prosinečki said. "Crvena Zveda made me a famous player, I spent four unforgettable years here and I want to continue this in a new role. This is a real challenge and I accept it with pleasure. Crvena Zvezda are, at least, one of the biggest clubs in this part of Europe and my – and our – duty is return the club to glory."

Prosinečki, the first Croatian to take charge of a Serbian club since the dissolution of Yugoslavia, spent four years with Crvena Zvezda between 1987 and 1991, having started out with NK Dinamo Zagreb. He went on to play in Spain – including with Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona – Croatia, Belgium, England and Slovenia, before ending his career in 2004 with NK Zagreb. On becoming a Croatian coach in the Serbian Super League, Prosinečki added: "It is time to change some old rules. For me, this is normal and I am very proud because Crvena Zvezda supporters are happy to accept me."