You've been around in this game world. From teams in small countries to the Top 3 Leagues in the world. Your most significant job, however, seems to have been your Spanish spell. Can you tell us how did you manage to revitalize competition in Spain?
Well, take Cibalia to reach CL playoffs in 3 years was also a challenge as there are only 6 teams in Croatian league but I agree that Spain was very impressive even not winning a title there.
Deportivo reached 3 Cup finals in 3 years and finished in 3rd twice and lost the title by a single point for Barcelona on the other league, letting Real behind. How I did that? First, I kept my focus on Spain, not European tournaments. Second, I used first league to know the opponents, build the squad and test tactics. The squad was made with very old players as finances were not good there but they all had amazing skills, were very experienced, also including national caps. All that plus some different formations like 4-2-4 and 4-5-1 were able to bring more competition and a bit of surprise on games against Barça and Real, like the time we won 4-0 with 14 shots against 0.
You were known to favour older players who managed to keep their stats. How are you adapting to the new player's profile?
I never liked to keep on the same team too long and the way things were, it was impossible to fight for titles in big countries with young players, so I went for old that were cheaper while still great.
Now I am having to deal like all others, but I had luck to get the job on Bayern that had a decent squad and some cash, so I am trying only to improve the team to keep the chance to bring more titles to Munich.
What are your plans with Bayern München?
Well, I won last season by luck as I had to spend a lot of time working on players, finances and other stuff to keep the job. Now, my idea is to start the season with the focus on Germany to win League and Cup to recover Bayern's dominancy, because I broke it when I was managing Nurnberg.
Talk us about your past in Soccersim/Managersim history
I played in the old days and my first team was Eibar in Spanish 2nd league. I used to buy and sell many players to raise money and in 2 seasons, I was already able to fight for the title with Espanyol that used to own the competition. That was the best memory but I also remember many game world's and several teams I managed to titles like Duisburg (in FT, I think).
Do you think titles are that important?
My personal view is that titles are not important as long as I can have a good time playing, good challenges and excitement. But for people reading, I would say it depends.
When I was at Cibalia, both titles were mandatory (league and cup) and I managed to win all those I played. But the real challenge was to reach a long run in CL, so titles were not my fuel there.
At Nurnberg, yes, I had to win to break Bayern's dominancy and I did that.
Deportivo was a particular case and I had a plan to win at least a Cup there but I couldn't. anyway, I left with excitement and proud because I was able to do a run like no other teams in Spain did before, leaving Barça behind on cup and Real on league with a team that used to be at 15th place.
Now, titles are also important because Bayern is already a strong team but I may stay for one more season only.
Why would you leave so soon?
Now I will have to answer with a question.
What is the fun to take a top team and make it a winner?
As I just said, I look for new challenges, not for titles.
For example, Luis Costa is a great manager who won many titles but I think it is very sad the way he plays. He doesn't participate on forum and he applied for Real Madrid when he realized he could not be able to keep winning in Germany. He was fighting for the title but he seemed so afraid to lose for weaker teams that he took the opportunity to continue as a winner, because lose to Barcelona would be acceptable.
Finally, I also think it is nice to give people a chance to manage a top club.
Became league champion with Bayern München.
Resigned as manager of Milan. Hired as a manager for Bayern München.
Resigned as manager of Salgueiros. Hired as a manager for Milan.
Named Manager of the Month with Salgueiros
Resigned as manager of Deportivo. Hired as a manager for Salgueiros.
Named Manager of the Month with Deportivo
Lost Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid ( with Deportivo )
Lost Copa del Rey final to Barcelona ( with Deportivo )
Named Manager of the Month with Deportivo
Lost Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid ( with Deportivo )
Resigned as manager of FC Nürnberg. Hired as a manager for Deportivo.
Became league champion with FC Nürnberg.
Won DFB Cup final against FC Köln ( with FC Nürnberg )
Named Manager of the Month with FC Nürnberg
Resigned as manager of Werder Bremen. Hired as a manager for FC Nürnberg.
Resigned as manager of Cibalia. Hired as a manager for Werder Bremen.
Won Croatian Football Cup final against Dinamo ( with Cibalia )
Became league champion with Cibalia.
Won Croatian Football Cup final against Dinamo ( with Cibalia )
Became league champion with Cibalia.
Won Croatian Football Cup final against Osijek ( with Cibalia )
Became league champion with Cibalia.
Won Croatian Football Cup final against Zagreb ( with Cibalia )
Resigned as manager of RoPS. Hired as a manager for Cibalia.
Jun 01 2014
Oct 05 2013
Sep 26 2013
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Jun 01 2013
Apr 16 2013
Apr 17 2012
Sep 01 2011
Apr 19 2011
Jun 05 2010
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Feb 01 2009
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Mar 27 2008
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May 27 2004