Tihana Nemcic

“Set your pace! Don't stop! Pass the ball precisely!” she shouts, taking command. But despite oozing self-confidence, she admits that she did have a “certain stage fright” when she took over at the amateur club, who are currently mid-table in the league. “I'm aware that I'm a blonde,” she explained with a wry smile, mindful of her undoubted good looks but insistent that femininity and football aren't mutually exclusive concepts. “So far my experiences with both players and spectators have been very positive,” she said. The fact that Nemcic has been so readily accepted undoubtedly comes down to her pedigree in football and, as she says, is a logical progression. She played for women's side Dinamo Maksimir Zagreb and coaches Croatia's women's under-17 squad as well as a football school for girls. She used to play for the national women's team but is currently recovering from a knee injury.
At Viktorija Vojakovac, the University of Zagreb physical education graduate is responsible for the main men's team as well as the veterans and the juniors. “For me it was a challenge but also a logical development since I've been in football practically my whole life,” Nemcic explained. “I don't see why I would be less capable than a man for the post since I'm skilled and educated for it,” she added. “(Real Madrid manager Jose) Mourinho, (former Barcelona coach Pep) Guardiola, (Manchester United boss Alex) Ferguson all have their own way of working,” she told. “The essential thing for a good coach is that he is capable of transmitting knowledge.” At pitch-side, spectators watching a late training session last week were complimentary. “Tihana is an expert, she is capable and educated. The fact that she is blonde cannot harm but can only help,” commented Nermin Orucevic. The players agreed, although the appointment did catch some off-guard. “When we heard that we will get a woman coach we were surprised,” said defender Kristian Klasan. “But she earned her authority. We listen to her and we agreed between ourselves that it will be like that,” 33-year-old driver added.