New role for legendary Zorman in Slovenia

The trend of former players who cut their teeth as assistant coaches but swiftly move into managing the teams they played for during their careers has been confirmed once more this week, as Uroš Zorman was named the new coach for Slovenia’s men’s national senior team.

Zorman, 42, will be the 12th coach in the history of the team and will replace Ljubomir Vranjes, whom he worked with between 2019 and 2021, when Slovenia finished fourth at the EHF EURO 2020, ninth at the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship and 16th at the EHF EURO 2022.

The former centre back, who is also the record holder for the largest number of caps in Slovenia handball history with 225 games, has been an integral part of the team as a player between 2002 and 2017, winning the silver medal at the EHF EURO 2004.

After finishing his playing career in 2018 – after seven seasons at Polish powerhouse Lomza Vive Kielce – Zorman became Talant Dujshebaev’s assistant at Kielce, while sharing his time with the Slovenia men’s national team as an assistant between 2019 and 2021.

Zorman moved back to Slovenia in 2020, when he took over RK Trimo Trebjne, finishing second in the first season in the domestic league with his new side. 

After Vranjes was let go due to the disappointing performance at the EHF EURO 2022, when Slovenia failed to progress to the main round, Zorman was tipped to take over the team, knowing the players and the system inside out.

“During the last weeks, we conducted an in-depth comparative analysis of potential candidates for the new coaching position among domestic and foreign coaches. We have selected a candidate who has a lot of playing experience. In recent years, he has grown up with the greatest coaching titles in European handball and has a winning mentality,” said the Slovenian Handball Federation (RZS) president Franjo Bobinac.

Eventually, everything converged on Zorman’s appointment as the 12th coach of Slovenia, with a strong generation of players, including plenty who finished second in the IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in 2015, at his disposal.

“When the Slovenian national team calls, there is never a doubt in my life. I am honoured and happy to have the opportunity. There is not much time on hand, so it is necessary to start preparing for the upcoming challenges. There are obligations on the one hand and responsibilities on the other, and I will do my best to return to the world's elite. We are in a difficult position, but I believe that together we will find a victorious path,” said Zorman, according to the official RZS website.

The first test for Zorman will be the Qualification Phase 2 for the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship in Poland and Sweden.

Slovenia will face Italy in Part 1 of their quest for a place at the 28th IHF Men’s World Championship, with a double-header scheduled on 16 and 19 March, in which Slovenia are earmarked as favourites, considering their experience and depth.

Provided they win against Italy, Serbia would await them in Part 2, a real test which will be played on 13 April and 16 April, with the away leg in Serbia.

Photos: Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff