Velež presented new coach: Čanadi did not boast with promises

(Patria) - New Velež coach Damir Čanadi did not boast with promises at his presentation, only stating that he can promise hard work and dedication.

After Dean Klafurić unexpectedly left the bench of Rođeni before the start of preparations, the Velež leadership reached an agreement with Austrian coach of Croatian roots, Damir Čanadi.

At today's official presentation, Čanadi said he believes that, although he is not very well acquainted with Bosnian football, he can in a short time arrange a team capable of the highest achievements:

"I know that Velež is a big club. Honestly, I don't know the Bosnian league very well, I follow it a bit on television, when I was in Šibenik two years ago I had some matches with Posušje and Zrinjski. I know the style of play, which is very important, and I adapt quickly, which is even more important."

Čanadi said there will be no major changes in the coaching staff and announced the arrival of one of his assistants with whom he previously successfully cooperated.

"Regarding the player roster, six or seven players have left and now we have to assemble the team. We have to balance everything, we have to see who we can bring to start this journey with us, someone who shares our vision. I have some of my own ideas and I have already talked to a few players. It is very important that players come who want to be here, who love this club," he emphasized.

The new Velež coach will not have much time at his disposal, given that in just twelve days his first official match awaits – a performance in the Conference League qualifiers against Inter from Andorra.

Čanadi warned that no team should be underestimated today.

"We must respect everyone, you cannot expect to beat someone just because they come from a small country. They have a lot of Spaniards in the team, I don't know them, I have never played against a team from Andorra, and it is very important that we prepare seriously for that match," he said.

Regarding a potential clash with Greek AEK in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, Čanadi said he knows the Athens team well since he lives in the Greek capital, but emphasized that it is too early to talk about that encounter.

"AEK has an excellent coach and a team that has been playing together for a long time. However, at this moment we must think only about the first obstacle," he said.

Speaking about ambitions at Velež, Čanadi emphasized that nothing can be done overnight.

"The most important thing is to arrange things in the best possible way and bring the club to an even higher level, to achieve the biggest dream in a year or two. I cannot promise anything except that I will work for my vision, that we will get the maximum out of our possibilities, and then I think that in the coming months or years we will win what we all want," concluded the new Velež coach.