Zoran Roganović has been appointed head coach of the Montenegro men’s senior national team, returning to the position he held between 2018 and 2023 as the country looks to rebuild after missing the last two IHF Men’s World Championships.

The Montenegro Handball Federation (RSCG) has confirmed the appointment of the former national team player as head coach of the men’s senior side for his second tenure, marking a return to the bench for one of the most influential figures in the country’s handball history.

Roganović succeeds Didier Dinart, who left the position in July after two years in charge and was subsequently appointed head coach of the Luxembourg men’s national team.

The 48-year-old returns with Montenegro facing an important rebuilding period. The European nation qualified for the IHF Men’s World Championship in 2023, ending a 10-year wait for a place at the global event, but missed the 2025 edition after Italy prevailed 66:58 on aggregate in the European qualification play-offs. Montenegro also missed out on qualification for the 2027 edition after losing to Slovenia in the decisive qualification tie.

Roganović knows the national team and its ambitions better than most. He first took charge in August 2018 and remained at the helm until January 2023, overseeing Montenegro’s progression into an increasingly competitive European side. During his tenure, they qualified for the EHF EURO in 2020 and 2022, before achieving the country’s best-ever finish at the European championship with 11th place in Hungary and Slovakia in 2022.

His tenure also culminated in Montenegro’s return to the IHF Men’s World Championship at Poland/Sweden 2023, their first appearance at the tournament since 2013. Montenegro eventually finished 18th.

“I am very happy to be returning to the bench of Montenegro. When I first took over the national team, I had a huge desire to do something great together and I think we succeeded in that,” said Roganović for the official website of the Montenegrin Handball Federation following his appointment.

“Now we have a new challenge and a new generation of players ahead of us, but the emotion when wearing the Montenegrin jersey is always the same. The national team is something special. It is not just a job and it is not just handball. It is a responsibility to the country, to the fans and to all the people who love this national team.”

Roganović’s connection with Montenegro’s national team goes beyond his coaching career. A right back, he represented his country from 2007 to 2014, making 34 appearances and scoring 158 goals, and featured at the EHF EURO 2008 and the 2013 IHF Men’s World Championship.

His club career took him across Europe and the Middle East, although Sweden became his principal home. He spent more than 15 years in Swedish handball, most notably with H43 Lund, Lugi HF and HK Malmö, and became the all-time leading scorer in the Swedish league. He subsequently moved into coaching, beginning with Lugi before taking charge of Eskilstuna Guif in 2019.

His international coaching record has also produced a notable family connection. His son, Nikola Roganović, born during the family’s time in Sweden, has emerged as a promising Swedish international and was named All-Star centre back at the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship and the MVP of the M18 EHF EURO 2024, after helping Sweden win the title. He has made his debut for the Sweden senior team and is in the mix for selection for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship.

For Roganović, the immediate task is to build a team capable of returning Montenegro to the global stage.

“I know what awaits us. We have a lot of work to do, but also enough quality and potential to believe in what is coming,” he said.

“I want to create a team that will fight for every goal, every point and every game until the last second. I am returning motivated, with a great desire and faith that together we can do beautiful things for Montenegrin handball again.”