Serbian duo arrive at Sheikh Jamal

Newly-appointed coach of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Zoran Kraljevic (2nd from R) and his assistant Davor Berber (R) meet Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin at the latter's office yesterday. The Serbians were earlier assistant to former Bangladesh national coach Zoran Djordjevic.Photo: STAR

After arriving in Bangladesh for the second time yesterday, Serbian coaches Zoran Kraljevic and Davor Berber have promised to start afresh with the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, putting behind their uncomfortable time with the Bangladesh Football Federation.
Kraljevic and Berber were the assistants of Bangladesh's former Serbian coach Zoran Djordjevic but they were forced to leave Bangladesh with Zoran in acrimonious circumstances after a protracted negotiation with the BFF failed to reach a resolution about his contract.
However, the national players said that they were visibly impressed with the work of Kraljevic and Berber and based on that recommendation newcomers Sheikh Jamal roped in both Serbians. This follows their major coup at signing up a significant part of the national team in their first-ever appearance in the top flight of country's football.
"We are happy to be here again and it is totally a different time and situation," said Berber as the club officials and the Serbian came to meet BFF president Kazi Salahuddin yesterday.
Zoran had offered Kraljedic and Berber the chance to work with him in a Syrian club but both had refused citing their commitment with the Bangladesh club. The decision had apparently angered Zoran.
"With only three weeks in hand before the start of the season, we cannot promise to make Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club champions in all competitions because we need some time though we have been told that most of the players were the member of SA Games squad," said head coach Kraljedic who has experience of working at club level in Greece, Bulgaria, Iran, Cyprus, Austria and Serbia.
"Aminul [Haque], [Zahid Hasan] Emily, Enamul [Haq] are fantastic players, but it has been six months since we left Bangladesh and we first want to see them in training," Kraljedic said.
"Working with a club is a different story as the clubs have matches every week and we want to work hard and take challenges."
Berber has promised to work the same way from where they left six months ago.
"We will try to present attractive football which will bring spectators to the venue and we want to go step by step," said Berber, who is supposed to join the Mongolian national football team after the completion of the Sheikh Jamal assignment.
Manzur Kader, president of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, said that they want to start the camp from Tuesday at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan.