Bojan's back

Bojan Hodak on his 1st day in charge at Phnom Penh Crown

Bojan Hodak is fast developing a reputation for taking on some of the toughest jobs in Asian football. He started out as Shebby Singh's number 2 when Malaysian television decided to start a reality show that put together a team of no-hopers to play the national team, but it worked out so well they actually joined the league and got promotion. He then came to Phnom Penh to take on the mantle at Phnom Penh Crown and led them to the top of the table and into the AFC President's Cup final rounds before leaving last June to become the number two at the biggest team in China, Shandong Luneng. Even though they parted company with their head coach early on, Bojan remained at the club as they finished the Super League season in 5th place and were beaten finalists in the Chinese FA Cup, until the end of his contract in December. Returning to his base in Kuala Lumpur, he's now joined forces with the biggest team in Malaysia, the powerhouses and league leaders, Kelantan, taking over as head of their club's Academy and their search for the football talent of the future, at a time when he's also being tipped as the most likely replacement for 'rested' head coach Peter Butler. It's a tough situation for the likeable Croatian but he knows his stuff and finding the stars of tomorrow is something Bojan is well qualified for.
Update: Peter Butler has left Kelantan by mutual consent, and with a cheque in his back pocket, and Bojan has been asked to take charge of the team pending a formal announcement. Kelantan are top of the Malaysian Super League and have AFC Cup involvement pretty soon.