Crvena Zvezda appoint Dostanic

Ratko Dostanic has signed a three-year contract to coach FK Crvena Zvezda.

Disappointing defeats
The appointment follows last Saturday's departure of Ljupko Petrovic, who stood down after losing 4-0 to FC Zenit St. Peterburg in a UEFA Cup first round first-leg match. Caretaker coach Milovan Rajevac subsequently presided over two victories but the Serbo-Montenegrin champions remained keen to recruit Dostanic.

Coaching career
The 41-year-old, who watched his new side beat FK Cukaricki 1-0 on Saturday, started his coaching career in 1999/00 as Crvena Zvezda assistant and then moved to FK Obilic, PFC Levski Sofia (as assistant), FK Smederevo and PFC Slavia Sofia, a post he relinquished on Monday. Dostanic said: "I’m happy. All domestic coaches have only one wish - to be in charge of Crvena Zvezda. Everything now hangs on me and my work with the young players."

President confident
Club president Dragan Dzajic added: "We are providing a chance to a young coach. He has all the characteristics needed for this job and I believe this is a good choice." Crvena Zvezda are at home to Zenit in the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie on Thursday having lost 4-0 in Russia.