Prasnikar makes Slovenia return

Bojar Prasnikar was today appointed Slovenia coach for the third time in his career by the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS).

Katanec departure
He replaces Srecko Katanec, who stepped down after the country's disappointing showing at the FIFA World Cup finals and an argument with star player Zlatko Zahovic which resulted in the SL Benfica man being sent home early from the Far East.

Four-year contract
The 49-year-old Prasnikar has signed a four-year contract. He is currently the coach of Slovenian champions NK Maribor and he will stay on at the club in a dual role before relinquishing the reins at the Ljudski vrt stadium in November.

First-ever Slovenia coach
Prasnikar was Slovenia's first coach when the country was granted independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. He left the post in 1993 and Zdenko Verdenik took over until the end of the qualifying competition for the 1998 World Cup.

Previous spells
Prasnikar was tempted back for a second tenure in December 1997. However, that spell in charge lasted just four months and he stepped down in April 1998 to concentrate on his club commitmemnts with Maribor. He was replaced by Katanec, who guided the team to both EURO 2000™ and the recent World Cup.

Italy game
Prasnikar's first game back in charge will be a friendly against Italy in Trieste on 7 September, before he prepares his team for the upcoming EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign which kicks off in the autumn. The Slovenians have been drawn alongside France, Cyprus, Israel and Malta in Group 1.