Jerko Leko is the interim coach of Dinamo and will lead the Zagreb side for the first time on Thursday at 21:00, when Dinamo travel to face Sunderland in the fourth round of the Europa League. Leko took over the team following the dismissal of Marijo Kovačević, and Dinamo arrive in England after a defeat to Rudeš in the Croatian Cup, aiming to break their run of poor results.
Leko and Dinamo captain Josip Mišić spoke at the pre-match press conference. Leko stated that the agreement was reached in Zmijavci and was signed for two matches. He joined Dinamo at the invitation of Zvone Boban, having previously worked with the youth teams and the B team. This is his ninth full year as a coach, and he told Boban that he would accept any role at Dinamo. Leko hopes to remain as coach or quickly get another opportunity.
Leko said he had not had much time to prepare for the match and that they had worked on several tactical details. He spoke with several individuals about what he expects from them, and desire and motivation must not be lacking. He emphasised that he will field players who can better exploit the space offered by Sunderland rather than others. According to Leko, Sunderland are the favourites and have seven points, fast players, good transition and jumping ability, plenty of depth, long balls and centre-half shots. Asked whether he expects Sunderland to rest some players ahead of their upcoming Premier League match against Chelsea, Leko said that the match in Varaždin will be conditioned by the match against Sunderland.
Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League, but have achieved two wins and a draw in the Europa League, occupying ninth place with seven points. Dinamo have achieved notable European results against English clubs in recent years, and Mišić believes something similar can be repeated against Sunderland.
Dinamo captain Josip Mišić welcomed the new coach and said he believes Leko's arrival will have a positive impact on the team. He highlighted that they agreed on two matches, but that Leko might stay longer, as there is always a positive vibe when a new coach arrives. Asked whether the players would like Leko to become the permanent solution, he replied: 'Judge for yourselves.'
Mišić also spoke about the reasons for the poor results that led to the dismissal of Marijo Kovačević. He said that perhaps there was a sense of saturation, that the rhythm of Europe and the HNL was too demanding, and that a crisis comes at the same time every year. They did not know how to get out of the crisis, they spoke with the coach, but the players did not speak among themselves. The coach only asked for energy to return and for tactical ideas to be implemented, and Mišić added that they must be more energetic and win long balls.
Mišić emphasised that Dinamo are not coming to England without ambitions and that playing against a Premier League club is a privilege. He said that they are currently in a worse situation, but that they played good football last year, that they are not just passing through, and that he believes they will show they have not forgotten how to play.
