Igor Milanović appointed as coach of Mladost Zagreb

Celebrated Serbian player, and later coach, Igor Milanović has been named as the head coach of Mladost Zagreb, a club where he left a significant mark both as a water polo player. In the early nineties, Milanović led Mladost to the European Champions title.

This summer, Mladost assembled a very strong team. Ten excellent water polo players, who were developed in the Zagreb club, returned to Zagreb. However, the results at the start of the season have been unsatisfactory. The club did not qualify for the Champions League, lost in the opening round of the European Cup to Solnok. Their achievements in the Regional League have also fallen below expectations. Consequently, the former head coach, Damir Vincek, has been relieved of his duties.

The club management decided to call Milanović, who confirmed in a statement to Sport Klub that he has reached an agreement with the Zagreb team and will coach Mladost at least until the end of the season.

Mladost will host Pro Reko in the European Cup on Thursday, but the team will be led from the bench by the former assistant coach Hrvoje Hrestak in that match, and after the game, Milanović is expected to start working with the team.

Prior to Mladost, Milanović coached Student, Partizan, Pro Reko, Galatasaray, Valis, Crvena Zvezda Novi Beograd, and Olympiacos, from which he parted ways a year and a half ago. He has won two European Champions titles as a player (with Mladost and Catalunya) and as many as a coach (Partizan and Pro Reko). In his career filled with achievements, he also has two Olympic gold medals.