Zambia’s Football Association (FAZ) confirmed that Aljosa Asanovic has resigned as coach of the Chipolopolo.
The 56-year-old Croatian stepped down following a long-term conflict with his employer on contract issues.
Asanovic was appointed on January 15, 2022, as Chipolopolo head coach after agreeing on a four-year contract.
Zambia’s federation said in a statement that Asanovic communicated the decision to resign through his lawyers, after the coach absconded his duties for nearly two months.
“Following weeks of fruitless efforts to get the coach to return to his workstation and resolve contractual matters, we have been notified by Mr Aljosa Asanovic through his lawyers that he has quit his position as Zambia National Team Head Coach,” said FAZ Secretary Genearl Adrian Kashala.
Asanovic resignation comes just nine months after he was tasked with reviving the fortunes of Chipolopolo. However, the Croat failed to qualify for next year’s African Nations Championships.
“Understandably, after failure to meet some of the key performance indicators and propensity to leave his workstation after every international assignment made his position untenable,” Kashala added.
Kashala noted that FAZ welcomes Asanovic’s desire to accelerate the matter to FIFA to seek closure.
“We welcome Mr Asanovic’s desire to report the matter to FIFA as we equally want finality on the matter especially in the claim for remuneration for the period one is absent from work,” he concluded.
Asanovic had not reported to his workstation since July 30 when Zambia lost 1-0 at home to Mozambique and crashed out of the Algeria 2023 CHAN qualifiers.
As a player, Asanovic helped Croatia to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals and the midfielder had spells in France, England and Italy, including with Derby County and Napoli.
He previously served as assistant to Slaven Bilic during Bilic’s time in charge of Croatia from 2006 to 2012, and his Chipolopolo job was his first as a national team head coach.
