Dinamo Sack Mario Kovačević After Shock Defeat to Rudeš

Dinamo have sacked head coach Mario Kovačević following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to newly promoted Rudeš in the 12th round of the SuperSport HNL. The Zagreb club, led by Zvonimir Boban, confirmed the decision on Sunday. B team coach Jerko Leko will take charge on an interim basis, starting with Thursday’s Europa League trip to Sunderland and followed by the league match against Varaždin. The defeat in Velika Gorica proved the final straw. Junior Fernandes scored the only goal for Rudeš, while Dion Drena Beljo had two goals ruled out, one for offside and one for handball. Dinamo also finished with ten men after substitute Iker Almena was sent off for an elbow to an opponent’s head. Speaking after the match, the 51-year-old said he understood the supporters’ anger and would not hide behind anyone. “If people are angriest with me, I accept the blame,” he said. Asked whether he still justified Boban’s faith in him, Kovačević pointed to his record over 16 months: a rebuilt squad, a league and cup double, and a solid start to this season. He called the Rudeš result a major slip, said four points in Europe was less than Dinamo had wanted, and insisted the season could still be turned around. Kovačević took over in June 2025 and led Dinamo in 73 matches, winning 48, drawing 11 and losing 14. Last season he delivered the double, winning the SuperSport HNL and the SuperSport Croatian Cup. Born in Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kovačević played for Varteks, Belišće, Slaven Belupo, Međimurje, Slovenian side Nafta, Nedelišće and Dinamo Tirana before retiring in 2008. He began coaching in 2014 with Međimurje, and went on to work with Varaždin’s youth and senior teams, Polet Sveti Martin na Muri, Podravina Ludbreg, Mladost Ždralovi and Slaven Belupo. In November 2023, Varaždin announced that Kovačević had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He stayed on the bench until early December before stepping away for surgery, and in late March 2024, he confirmed that the cancer had receded. The post Dinamo Sack Mario Kovačević After Shock Defeat to Rudeš appeared first on Total Croatia .