Halilhodzić keeps Trabzonspor promise

Having led Algeria to the FIFA World Cup knockout stages, Vahid Halilhodžić has agreed to take over at Turkish club Trabzonspor AŞ for a second time, penning a two-year contract.

The Bosnian and Herzegovinian coach, 61, had previously led Trabzonspor in 2005/06, but left the club at the end of the season for family reasons. He returns to guide the Black Sea outfit into the new Turkish Super League campaign and the UEFA Europa League play-offs, Trabzonspor having finished fourth last term.

"I had worked at Trabzonspor for eight months nine years ago and I had promised to return," Halilhodžić said. "I received many offers from European clubs and national teams after quitting Algeria, but if I had gone elsewhere, my conscience would not be clear. I was offered crazy wages elsewhere, but the promise I made to the president of Trabzonspor is worth more than money. From now on, my only concern is Trabzonspor.

"We want to build a team which could be more successful than last year," he added. "To build a team that could deliver results in the UEFA Champions League and battle it out with the three Istanbul sides."

Halilhodžić made his name as a striker for FC Nantes and Yugoslavia. He first earned international recognition as a coach at Moroccan side Raja Casablanca, leading them to CAF Champions League and domestic league titles. He subsequently took over at LOSC Lille, transforming the French side from a Ligue 2 club to UEFA Champions League participants in the space of a few years.

Halilhodžić guided the Ivory Coast to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and won the Croatian top division with GNK Dinamo Zagreb 12 months later. He had been in charge of Algeria since June 2011.