Papic returns to Royal Eagles
National First Division outfit Royal Eagles have reappointed former coach Kostadin Papic as their new head coach.
Kosta Papic returns to Black Leopards after Hearts of Oak exit. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix.
According to a source close to the club, Papic started his job as the Eagles head coach on Monday morning.
“Yes, it’s true, Papic is back with us. He started today, and we’re happy to have him back. He will be introduced to the players this afternoon,” the source told Phakaaathi.
Papic left Eagles under a bit of a cloud in April, with the club saying he asked for sick leave to have an operation on his back and has gone back home to Serbia for treatment.
It later emerged that Papic and Eagles had parted ways.
READ: Papic leaves Eagles, team claims he is on sick leave
He was replaced by Allan Freese, but the former Platinum Stars and Highlands Park coach didn’t last long, and was sacked due to poor results.
Zipho Dlangalala then took over on an interim basis, but according to a source close to Eagles, the management was not convinced that he had what it takes to promote the team to the Absa Premiership.
“They [Eagles] then offered Papic his job back, and he agreed. Expect an announcement to be made this week,” said the source.
If he manages to get his work permit in time, Papic’s first game in charge of Eagles will be against Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.
READ: Eagles sack coach after bad start in NFD
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