Prosinecki appointed manager of Azerbaijan [divider]

Azerbaijan have named former Kayserispor manager Robert Prosinecki as head coach to replace Bertie Vogts who resigned in October.

“Maybe we will not be able to beat Italy and Croatia, but we can play better than we have done so far,” Prosinecki said at his unveiling.

“I am an optimist and I believe this team has potential. We have to keep on working. After four losses we have to get things back on track and we must beat Malta in March.”

Prosinecki will be paid 1.2 million euros per year.

The Croatian manager replaces Vogts who quit on October 17 after the 0-6 defeat against the Croatian team.

The 45-year-old coach worked as assistant manager of the Croatian national football team after retiring from active football.

He also enjoyed a stint at Serbian club Red Star Belgrade in 2010 and took over the Turkish club Kayserispor in 2012.

Prosinecki coached in Turkey for a season where he picked up basic Turkish which could come in useful in Azerbaijan where the same language is used.