Kastratovic and Montenegro go seperate ways

Zoran Kastratovic is no longer the head coach of Montenegro. The Management Board of Montenegro Handball Federation decided to end cooperation with the most successful coach in the men's national team history, more than two years before the end of the contract which was agreed at the end of 2013.

Kastratovic was relieved of his duties due to problems with a group of experienced players in the team.

“Montenegro Handball federation analysed the situation in the men's team presented to the president by the players and the coach after EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark.

“Based on the stated opinions, Management Board of Montenegro Handball Federation unanimously concluded that there is no possibility for further cooperation between the head coach and the players and unanimously decided to cease cooperation with Kastratovic,” it was explained in a statement of Montenegro Handball Federation.

After he received the news, Kastrovic wanted to thank his assistants Simic, Barjaktarovic, Nikocevic, physiotherapist Muric and former national team director Blazo Lisicic.

“I would like also to thank Montenegro Handball Federation President Predrag Boskovic on whose initiative I took over the the national team. With my work and attitude towards national team I think I gave a modest contribution in achieving quality results.

“I wish the players the best of luck and to maintain playing at major competitions. I wish my successor to repeat the success and to take Montenegro to the Olympic Games in Brazil,” Zoran Kastratovic said.

Montenegro daily newspaper “Vijesti” have published that most of the squad complained to the Montenegro Handball President Predrag Boskovic that Kastratovic did not believe in them enough and reportedly had doubts about their quality.

“I only work with people in which I believe, and regarding the faith in the players, I undoubtedly believed in them.

“I would not have worked with those players if I had no faith in them. I can say that maybe in Denmark I had more trust in experienced players,” Kastratovic added.

During his tenure on the bench, Montenegro managed to qualify for two consecutive major competitions, the 2013 World Championship in Spain (22nd place) and EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark, where Montenegro finished last. The only competition the Montenegrin men’s team competed in before Kastratovic’s era was EHF EURO 2008 in Norway.

In the statement, the Montenegro Handball Federation noted that the men’s team achieved great success by reaching the last two major events.

“On this occasion, the Management Board wishes to emphasise that coach Kastratovic deserves great credit for what he has achieved with the team.

“The Montenegro Handball Federation will promptly inform the public of further steps,” concluded the statement.

In the 2015 World Championship Play-off, Montenegro face a repeat of the EHF EURO 2014 encounter against Belarus over two legs in June.