Brnović backs Montenegro to reach EURO play-offs

Branko Brnović said "I believe in myself, and most of all I believe in the players" as he was officially unveiled as the new Montenegro coach.

The 44-year-old former international midfielder, who represented FK Partizan and RCD Espanyol at his peak, stepped up from his role as assistant coach when Zlatko Kranjčar was dismissed in the wake of disappointing results against Bulgaria and Wales in Group G. Montenegro now trail section leaders England by six points, ahead of a home game against Fabio Capello's side on 7 October, and a visit to Switzerland four days later.

"I would rather we had the five points we dropped against Bulgaria and Wales and not have been handed this job, but that's football, and now I must be ready for this challenge," said Brnović. "I believe in myself and most of all – I believe in the players. Together we can take one more step. We can reach the play-offs and I promise England will have a tough time in Podgorica, because we still have a chance to go to the finals as group winners."

Brnović, who started his playing career in his native Podgorica – in the days when it was still Titograd – has been on the national-team coaching staff since 2007, assisting Zoran Filipović and then Kranjčar. Montenegro must win both of next month's games to overhaul England for automatic qualification and Switzerland are only three points behind in the race of a play-off berth.