Smajlagic appointed Bosnia and Herzegovina coach

Former Yugoslavia and Croatia star player Irfan Smajlagic has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina men's national team. The 60-year-old took up the position which had been vacant for a while after Ivica Obrvan stepped down in January.

Born in the Bosnian city of Banja Luka, Smajlagic won bronze with Yugoslavia at the 1988 Olympic Games before opting to play for Croatia, with whom he became an Olympic champion in 1996. After finishing his playing career in 2002, he became a coach. As an assistant coach of Croatia's men's national team, he participated in their winning campaigns at the 2003 World Championship and 2004 Olympic Games. And as a head coach, he led Egypt to the title of African champion in 2008.

Later on, Smajlagic was at the helm of several clubs, including Bosna Sarajevo, RK Zamet and Lokomotiva Zagreb, leading them to various national titles. His most recent job dates back to 2015-16, when he coached Islamic Republic of Iran's men's national team.

The new coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina will face his first challenge quite soon, as on 13 and 16 October, the Balkan team will play the qualifying matches for the EHF EURO 2024 against Slovenia and Montenegro, respectively. Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the two most recent European championships in 2020 and 2022, finishing 23rd in both – and now they are determined to book their ticket to a third straight EHF EURO.

 

Irfan Smajlagic and RSBiH President Kenan Magoda during the press conference

 

Photos: Bosnia and Herzegovina Handball Federation