Šimundža succeeds Čačić at Maribor

NK Maribor have moved quickly to replace coach Ante Čačić by appointing their former striker Ante Šimundža in his stead.

Čačić parted company with the Slovenian champions on Sunday following a 2-1 First League defeat at FC Koper, less than four months after being installed. His successor, who has left second-tier NK Aluminij to take up the post, will be in the dugout for Thursday's UEFA Europa League Group D trip to Wigan Athletic FC.

Šimundža, 42, made more than 200 appearances for the Purples in two stints with the club in the 1990s. After retiring from playing, Šimundža spent three years working as assistant coach to Darko Milanič at Maribor before spells in charge of ND Mura 05 and Austria's Grazer AK. Maribor lost 5-2 at home to FC Rubin Kazan on matchday one.