Former Dinamo Zagreb player and coach Krunoslav Jurčić was interviewed about his career, his recent work in Egypt, and his views on Croatian football. Jurčić, who spent his playing career at Dinamo and later managed the club on three separate occasions, said he has won 11 trophies as a player and 11 as a coach at the club. He added that his coaching record at Dinamo alone also totals 11 trophies. “I have never been afraid to talk about football,” he said, noting that his answers are always “on the spot” and that he has a deep understanding of the game. During his time in Egypt, Jurčić worked for two and a half years with Pyramids FC. He said he was involved in winning trophies there and that he helped develop two of the country’s best players, who later represented the Egyptian national team at the World Cup. “I am proud of the players I brought to Pyramids and the support I gave them,” he said. He said he is looking for a club in the Middle East that has a clear project and the potential to win trophies. Jurčić said he has received offers from other clubs but has not yet committed to a new position. “I am not planning to return to Croatian football, not even to Dinamo,” he said. He added that he would prefer a club that offers a long‑term perspective rather than a short‑term financial incentive. On the state of Croatian football, Jurčić expressed concern that the quality of the game is declining. He cited the sale of young talent, limited budgets, and the lack of a robust scouting system as key factors. “We sell everything that is valuable, clubs have smaller budgets, and when a 16‑ or 17‑year‑old player is slightly faster, he leaves,” he said. He also noted that the media coverage of the league has improved, but that the overall quality remains in decline. When asked about Dinamo Zagreb, Jurčić said he has followed the club closely and that he does not see any positive changes in the current environment. He criticised the club’s “negative atmosphere” and the lack of continuity in coaching. “The club has been in crisis for a long time,” he said. “If you want to achieve results, you need a coach with continuity and a clear project.” Jurčić also discussed the relationship between Dinamo’s current manager Mario Kovačević and former manager Zvonimir Boban. He said he has always had a respectful relationship with Boban, who was his captain, but that he does not have a close personal contact with him. He added that Dinamo’s current situation requires a focus on youth production and that the club’s financial model depends heavily on developing and selling young players. Regarding the Croatian national team, Jurčić said the 0‑7 defeat to England was a shock but not unexpected given the changes in the coaching staff. He noted that the new head coach, Slaven Bilić, must quickly adapt the team’s style to the modern game. “We need to change the way we play,” he said. “Our previous style was slow and relied on controlling the ball, but we now need faster, more dynamic players.” Jurčić concluded that the future of Croatian football depends on better youth development, stronger scouting, and a more stable club environment. He remains open to opportunities abroad but does not plan to return to coaching in Croatia at this time.
Article source: Večernji List | Image credit: Večernji List