Sušić takes reins for Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has confirmed that Safet Sušić will be the new coach of the national team following the resignation of Miroslav Blažević earlier this month.

Play-off run
Bosnia-Herzegovina impressed in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, missing out only in a play-off against Portugal, but Blažević has stepped down to take over at Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Sušic began his playing career with local side FK Krivaja from Zavidovići before moving to FK Sarajevo. Scorer of 21 goals in 54 internationals for Yugoslavia, he starred for Paris Saint-Germain FC between 1982 and 1991, claiming a Ligue 1 title and the French Cup.

Experienced coach
His coaching career began with AS Cannes in 1994 before his first assignment in Turkey with İstanbulspor AŞ. A stint in Saudi Arabia followed with Al-Hilal before a number of further jobs in Turkey at Konyaspor, MKE Ankaragücü, Rizespor and Ankaraspor. Bosnia-Herzegovina missed out on a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals after a play-off defeat by Portugal.

Golden Player
"I have been offered this post many times but now that Bosnia has such a strong team it is a great honour for me and I accept it," said the 54-year-old, who was voted the country's Golden Player to mark UEFA's 50th anniversary in 2004. Bosnia-Herzegovia will be in the third tier of seeds when the UEFA EURO 2012™ qualifying draw is made in Warsaw on 7 February 2010.