Meho Kodro named Bosnia coach with target Euro 2024

Former Bosnian international Meho Kodro was appointed national coach on Thursday with the task of guiding them to the Euro 2024 finals.

Kodro succeeds Faruk Hadzibegic, who was sacked after just five months in June, following poor results in qualifiers for next year’s European championship in Germany.

“Kodro has the ability and the know-how to lead us to a European championship for the first time,” Bosnian federation president Vico Zeljkovic told a press conference.

Bosnian football chiefs are still hopeful of finishing second in the group and qualifying without the play-offs. 

Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic’s side are currently fourth in Euro qualifying Group J, with three points after three defeats in four matches.

Portugal, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Iceland and Liechtenstein make up the group.

Since gaining independence in 1992, Bosnia have qualified for just one major tournament, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“It’s a big occasion for me and I’m absolutely happy and proud to have been appointed coach, despite the difficult work we have to do,” said Kodro, 56, who briefly coached Bosnia in 2008 before being sacked for refusing to lead the team for a friendly with Iran. 

“We have the quality and the right to hope to reverse the situation. It’s still realistic,” added the former forward, who scored three times in 13 internationals for Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia.

Kodro played for several Spanish clubs, among them Real Sociedad and Barcelona, ending his career in 2002 with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

He has coached teams including the Real Sociedad youth and B teams, Sarajevo and Swiss clubs Serviette and Stade Lausanne Ouchy.