Monaco Appoint Kovac as Manager after Sacking Moreno

Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)
Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)
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Monaco Appoint Kovac as Manager after Sacking Moreno

Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)
Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)

AS Monaco have appointed former Bayern Munich and Croatia boss Niko Kovac as their new manager on a three-year deal to replace the sacked Robert Moreno, the Ligue 1 team said.

Moreno, who replaced Leonardo Jardim in December, was dismissed at the weekend. Monaco finished the season ninth and 28 points behind Paris St. Germain, who were named champions when the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"AS Monaco are pleased to announce the arrival of Niko Kovac as head coach. The Croatian has signed on a three-year contract with an option to extend," Monaco said in a statement here

Kovac had joined Bayern in 2018 after a spell at Eintracht Frankfurt where he won the German Cup. He won the German Cup, Bundesliga and Super Cup with Bayern before leaving in November.

“Niko is recognized for his work both for the national team and ... in club environments, in the development of young talent, the management of experienced players and the ability to achieve very good results,” Monaco vice-president Oleg Petrov said.

“I’m convinced that his experience and personality will help us achieve our goals.”



Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China’s World Cup Dream Ends

China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
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Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China’s World Cup Dream Ends

China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)

China coach Branko Ivankovic took responsibility for his team's exit from the World Cup qualifiers after they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday.

China had faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite three consecutive losses against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, which left them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C.

The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition had ignited Chinese hopes of a return to the finals for the first time since their sole appearance in 2002.

"This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic told reporters.

"We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility."

The 71-year-old Croatian was appointed by China in February last year to replace Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian failed to take the East Asian country beyond the group phase of the 2024 Asian Cup.

"We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team. Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future," Ivankovic said.

"We knew this match would be tough — not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second."

China next host Bahrain, who are in fifth place in Group C, for their final third-round qualifier on June 10.