Zambia Eyes Sliskovic Blaz as Potential New Coach
After weeks of searching for a new coach, Zambia is reportedly considering Sliskovic Blaz as a possible candidate for the national team head coach position. The Franco-Croatian coach has apparently taken the initiative by appointing an agent to submit his application to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
The search for a new coach intensified after the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, when Zambian Minister of Sports recommended that the FAZ hire a foreign coach to replace Honour Janza, who had been serving as interim coach following the departure of Patrice Beaumelle. Beaumelle had held both the head coach and National Technical Director roles, but his exit left Zambia in need of a permanent solution. Several applications have reportedly been submitted, but Blaz’s candidacy seems to have garnered the most attention.
Blaz, who had a notable playing career with clubs such as Marseille, Lens, and Rennes, transitioned into coaching after retiring from football. His managerial career includes stints with Bosnia and Croatia, where he earned recognition for his successful spells in Eastern Europe. Notably, Blaz secured league titles with Hajduk Split in 2005 and FK Tirana in Albania in 2007. His most recent coaching role was with the Chinese club Qingdao Jonoon, but he left the position a few months ago.
If Blaz is appointed, Zambia could become his first experience managing a national team in Africa, marking an exciting new chapter for the Zambian Football Association.
