Tihana Nemcic

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.
Nemcic -- who says she is just as comfortable in a tracksuit as the high heels she wears off the pitch -- is also well-respected by the club's junior players. “She is very experienced, has the authority and boys listen to her,” said the club's director Vitomir Mijic. It was boys -- or rather a particular boy -- that got Nemcic into football in the first place. “I was training in athletics and when I was 13 I fell in love with the boy who was the best footballer in town,” explained Nemcic, who was born in nearby Krizevci, some 60 kilometres northeast of Zagreb. “I followed him to the pitch, watched his techniques. The next summer the love was gone but my love for football was born and it lasts until today.” Whatever the reasons, Nemcic's arrival has buoyed the team's hopes -- and prompted a number of enquiries from players at other teams eyeing a possible transfer, said goalkeeper Tihomir Jagusic. “Tihana can help our club a lot. We hope to see first results within a few months,” he added. “I'm aware that I'm a blonde,” she explained, mindful of her undoubted good looks but insistent that femininity and football aren't mutually exclusive concepts.