December 16, 2019 - Hajduk officially presented Mario Stanic and Ivan Kepcija as new members of the club at a press conference at Poljud on Monday. 

The club sent out a call to the media Monday morning that a press conference would begin at noon, without specifying the subject matter. In the meantime, we’ve learned that the Split club presented President Marin Brbic's new closest associates - namely, Mario Stanic and Ivan Kepcija. Stanic has been named President Brbic's new advisor on sports policy, and Kepcija the new sports director.

"With us is Mario Stanic, a celebrated international footballer, and Ivan Kepcija, a respected junior specialist. I see this combination as a long-term solution to our sports policy," said President Brbic.

"First of all, hello to everyone. I am happy to see you. I would also like to thank President Brbic and Hajduk for their confidence. This is a great honor; we come as professionals with a vision. Personally, I think Hajduk is at some kind of a turning point, which means that they will continue to monitor the football market or turn to themselves. I would rather not be a part of a Hajduk that follows fashion but creates it,” Stanic said.

"Hello everyone, it is a great privilege to be a part of a club like this. I hope that together with Mario, I will contribute to raising the quality in all segments of the club. As Mario said, I also do not like to talk much but to work and that the work of all of us will be judged,” said Kepcija.

Mario Stanic was born in Sarajevo on April 10, 1972, and is a celebrated Croatia national team member and bronze medalist at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Stanic started his football career at FC Zeljeznicar, and also played for Croatia Zagreb, Sporting Gijon, SL Benfica, Club Brugge, AC Parma and Chelsea.

He made 49 appearances for the Croatia national team, scoring seven goals, which includes Croatia's historic first goal at the World Cup.

Ivan Kepcija was born on May 9, 1982, in Pula and graduated with a BA in Economics from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb and Kinesiology at Saint Mary's College of California.

In the US, he worked as a football coach and technical director of the San Ramon Soccer Club. He started his coaching career in 2004 as a coach at the Jadran Youth School in Poreč. A year later, he went to the United States to study, where he stayed until 2014.

For three years, he was the Deputy Leader of the GNK Dinamo Academy, which he joined in 2014, and at the same time, he served as assistant coach to then-coach Ferdi Milin for the U-19 Croatia national team, which lasted two years.

From 2017 to 2018, Ivan Kepcija was the sports director of the Warsaw Legia. 

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July 19, 2019 - Not even 24 hours after Hajduk lost to Gzira United and dropped out of the Europa League in the first round, the club announced that its cooperation with coach Siniša Oreščanin has been terminated.

Oreščanin took over Hajduk at the end of November 2018 and led them to fourth place at the end of the season. His final game leading Hajduk was on Thursday at Poljud against the Maltese club Gzira United (1:3). Before taking over the Hajduk A team, he worked at Hajduk’s “Luka Kaliterna" Academy.

Hajduk thanks Oreščanin for everything he has done for the club and wishes him a lot of luck in his career.

The president of the club Marin Brbić, Vice President Luka Jakobušić, Benjamin Perasovic, President of the Supervisory Board, and Sports Director Saša Bjelanovic led the press conference on Friday afternoon, where they announced that a new coach would be named on Saturday at the team training. The media has speculated that it would be former Hajduk coach Damir Burić.

Hajduk president Marin Brbić and sports director Saša Bjelanović offered their resignation, though they were rejected.

"I have to apologize to all the Hajduk fans for this blow. I fully understand the anger of the fans. I am the most responsible person. I made a compromise and I'm aware that I made a mistake. Last night we did not want to make decisions. I made this mandate available to the Supervisory Board this morning. I wanted to say that. what I did with the coach I did not do well. NO has confidence in me again and because of these people, I have decided to continue the job, because I think we have moved in the right direction. We have started the process, we have a clear goal, which is entering the qualification for the Champions League. If we see that we cannot do this, we will leave the club. Everyone who does not want to go with us must go,” President Brbić said.

"I think the coach underestimated the opponent. We had a few starters on the bench. If we played with the first team, we’d win ten out of ten games. But we lost the most important one. Oreščanin was given a contract termination because of bad results. This is an opponent who was not equal. We had to win against them. We all think this is the toughest defeat in the history of the club. That defeat will mark us permanently. Both us and the trainers," he added.

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July 18, 2019 - It was the biggest embarrassment for Hajduk Split in their long history of the Europa League. After a 0:2 victory against Gzira United in Malta, Hajduk managed to lose 1:3 in the return match of the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, in front of over 18,000 of their fans at Poljud stadium in Split. 

Hajduk’s Europa League campaign this season is now over. An outcome not even the most pessimistic Hajduk fan could have anticipated. 

Hajduk fan group Torcida charged the pitch after the game and chased after Hajduk players before the police intervened. An incident in the West Stands also broke out, and dozens of seats were pulled from the North Stands and thrown onto the pitch. It was bound to be an ugly night in Split. 

Hajduk coach Siniša Oreščanin made questionable decisions with the lineup on Thursday, as if the victory in Malta was enough to carry the team through so they could prepare for their first Croatian League match against Istria. What a mistake that was in the end. 

At the Hajduk press conference after the game, which didn’t begin for nearly an hour after the final whistle blew, the Gzira coach - as well as 99% of journalists in the room - was in shock. 

“I can’t believe we did this against a big club like Hajduk,” the Gzira coach expressed. 

While his reaction was expected, we couldn’t imagine how Oreščanin would explain this defeat. 

"We went into the first half well, but our mindset fell in the second half, and we conceded two goals after interruptions. No one expected this," said Oreščanin. "That's sport; it will go on." 

Answering a German journalist's question of what he has to say about the fan reaction after the game, Oreščanin responded briefly: "That's Hajduk." 

Whether Oreščanin will resign is still unknown, as he revealed he would need to speak to the club first and take the next steps accordingly. 

Hajduk will open the Croatian First League against Istria on Sunday, though the atmosphere around the club is looking anything but bright. 

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July 18, 2019 - Hajduk Split and Gzira United met in the second leg of the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday night at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

After Hajduk won 0:2 against Gzira United in Ta’Qali, Malta for the first leg of their Europa League qualifications, the two teams met again one week later in the sunny city of Split.

Hajduk featured a different lineup than the game in Malta, and instead came out with Duka, Lopez, Barry, Svatok, Beširović, Delić, Jairo, Bašić, Dolček, Tahiraj, and Jradi for the starting 11. 

While Hajduk fans don't need much reason to make the trip to Poljud, because it was their first home game of the new season, almost 20,000 spectators were expected to fill the stadium - and over 14,000 tickets were sold by 2 pm on game day! The final attendance was 18,326.

The game began at 8 pm and Hajduk came out with momentum. It didn't take long for the Split club to thank their fans for the support after Jradi scored for 1:0 in the 7th minute! 

Gzira was not able to do much against Hajduk in the first 20 minutes and had their first shot on goal only then. Hajduk, however, found ways into the box and had a few chances which hit just wide of the goal. 

In the 29th minute, Hajduk had another golden opportunity from a free-kick outside the penalty area, which Lopez made difficult for the Gzira goalkeeper. Delić hit just over the crossbar moments later. The first half ended 1:0 for Hajduk. 

Gzira seemed to pick up the pace at the start of the second half, though they were unable to capitalize on their few chances. Hajduk's first real chance of the second half was from Tahiraj, though he shanked his shot far from the goal. 

But Gzira's momentum carried them past the Hajduk defense to equalize in the 57th minute. Jefferson scored for 1:1. 

Hajduk had a chance to retake the lead in the 59th minute, but a deflection resulted in a corner instead. Delić had a chance minutes later, but hit wide again - and just minutes after that, Juranović hit the post! 

In the 67th minute, the Gzira goalkeeper denied Hajduk another opportunity in front of the goal, and it was Gzira to capitalize just two minutes later when Kone scored for 1:2. 

Delić once again had the chance to save the day after a brilliant Jurić attack but took one touch too many. Hajduk was pressing but failing to make any gains. 

Six minutes of extra time were added and the game took a nasty turn. Gzira scored in the final 30 seconds for 1:3. With this loss, Hajduk is out of Europa League. 

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Football club Hajduk Split played their first Europa League qualifier against Malta club Gzira United after 29 days of preparations. The first qualifying round was played on artificial turf in Ta' Qali.

Hajduk opened the start of a new European season with a 0:2 win against Gzira United in the first qualifying round at the Centenary stadium in Ta 'Qali, Malta, reports Gol.hr on July 9, 2019.

Siniša Oreščanin’s team managed to secure the victory with goals by Adam Gyurcso in the 44th minute and Ivan Dolček in the fifth minute of injury time. 

Hajduk dominated the first minute but was unable to break through Gzira’s defense in the first half, which ended without goals.

Hajduk’s first real chance was in the 37th minute when Jradi passed two players to find Gyurcso, who missed the goal by 10 meters. Three minutes later, Jurić cut the ball from the right and shot from 20 meters but was also unlucky. 

Hajduk finally had their chance in the 44th minute thanks to a penalty which Gyurcso scored after his shot bounced back off the side post. 

Hajduk could have increased their lead in the 69th minute, though Hamza and Dolček were unable to realize their chances. However, seconds before the final whistle and five minutes into injury time, substitute Ivan Dolček increased Hajduk’s lead to 0:2, which was the final score of the game.

Hajduk arrived in Malta on Sunday and held one official training on Monday evening, and was welcomed by hot and muggy weather, with a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. The club also arrived in Malta without a few sound names. Namely, Oreščanin could not count on captain Josip Juranović, Mijo Caktaš and Josip Posavec who received an extended rest after the U21 European Championship. 

The second leg is scheduled for July 18th at Poljud. If Hajduk moves forward,  they will play in the second qualifying round against the winner of Latvian club Ventspils and Albanian club Teuta.

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July 3, 2019 - Just before the start of the new season, fans of Hajduk were presented the club’s new, third reserve kit. 

While we know that the home kit is always white and the away kit a mix of blue and red, which are the traditional colors of the Split club, the third, reserve kit this season will feature the shades of light purple, or in other words, lavender. It is an ode the Hajduk’s beginnings, in particular, 1912 and 1913, when the first jersey was the same color. Recall, in recent years, the third kit has been grey or black.

Hajduk revealed the change to their fans on Wednesday. 

"The third Hajduk jersey for the 2019/2020 season was inspired by the beginning of the club's activities, more precisely, 1912. After the team formed, they immediately started with the first game. In 1912, goals were set up at Stari Plac for the first time and the team played in purple t-shirts and white trousers

It can be said that it is a jersey of lavender, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Mediterranean. The legendary Luka Kaliterna defended the net of the first team then, and Nikola Gazdić, the first Hajduk footballer to score more than 100 goals for Hajduk, made his debut.

Today, 107 years later, HNK Hajduk presents an almost replica lavender jersey from this important period of the club’s formation, this time created in cooperation with our technical sponsor - Macron, and in which the Hajduk HNK players will play some of their matches in the season ahead. The top is lavender, and the pants are white with motifs of lavender,” Hajduk said on their website. 

The third jersey is retro, decorated with a white polo collar and white embroidered sleeves. On the right side of the chest is Macron Hero, the new icon of the technical sponsor, while on the left is the Hajduk coat of arms. 

The away jersey, or Hajduk’s backup jersey for the 2019/2020 season, also experienced a change inspired by history. Namely, it pays homage to 1971, which has great significance in the club’s history - it is the year that Hajduk won the championship for the first time after a 16-year dry spell. Then, Hajduk’s tops were red and blue with narrow stripes.

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The Split City Council announced the arrival of the Croatia national team at Poljud but also expects changes at the root of HNS.

It was a marathon session of the Split City Council, where the decision of whether the Croatia national team would play against Hungary at Poljud was finally revealed around 8 pm on Wednesday, reports Gol.hr on June 19, 2019. 

With 25 votes for (from 26 councilors), the council unanimously decided that Croatia would play against Hungary at Poljud.

However, changes at the root of HNS's relationship with the City of Split and Hajduk was demanded, as is an apology from HNS and a quick agreement from the Federation that all sides would get together as soon as possible.

You can read the City of Split’s statement in full below:

The Split City Council wants the Croatia national football team in our town for the official qualification match against the national team of Hungary at Poljud stadium.

The Split City Council demands from the Croatian Football Federation a rooted change in the current relationship between the leadership of the Croatian Football Federation towards the City of Split and the Croatian football club Hajduk, which is best reflected by the fact that Croatia has only played two official matches in Split in the last 20 years, one of which was played without the public.

Due to the many years of an inappropriate and unacceptable relationship with our city and club, an apology by the Croatian Football Federation is needed as an act of goodwill and a step towards recovering Croatian football and strengthening its communion.

In the interest of Croatian football, we are looking for an agreement at a meeting between the Croatian Football Federation and HNK Hajduk, in the presence of representatives of the City of Split, related to achieving a solution for the numerous deviations and the accumulation of problems that have burdened Croatian football for a long time, as well as an agreement on organizing the desired football match in our city of Split, said the Split City Council.

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June 19, 2019 - Croatian clubs Dinamo, Osijek, and Hajduk have learned of their opponents in the Champions League and Europa League for the 2019/20 season. 

Namely, Dinamo Zagreb will kick off their Champions League campaign this year in the 2nd qualifying round where they will meet the winner of FC Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova and FC Saburtalo from Georgia. 

The first match will be played in Moldova or Georgia on July 23 and 24, while the return match will be held on July 30 or 31 at Maksimir in Zagreb.

With its coefficient of 29,500, Dinamo had the status of a top seed in the first qualifying round draw. 

ℹ️ The official result of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round draw.

(matches 23/24 July & 30/31 July)#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/Ms1mGm0Jr2

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 19, 2019

Sheriff is expected to advance over Saburtalo, and Dinamo should make it to the 3rd qualifying round. Otherwise, Sheriff is an old acquaintance of Zagreb, and in the last decade, they have met three times in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League. In 2010, the Moldavian club went ahead thanks to a penalty shoot-out, while there was no dilemma in 2012 - Dinamo celebrated 5:0. In 2013, the draw coupled the two clubs again, and Dinamo went through with a 4:0 aggregate.

In the Europa League, Hajduk Split will meet Gzira United from Malta in the 1st qualifying round of the competition. If they advance, they will face the winner of FK Ventspils and Teuta. 

Osijek will enter the competition in the 2nd qualifying round and unfortunately pulled the most difficult rival. Namely, Osijek will play against the better of CSKA Sofia and Montenegrin club OFK Titograd. CSKA Sofia was a club both Osijek and Hajduk, who were in the same group for the draw, wanted to avoid.

The biggest stars of the Bulgarian club, which finished second in the championship with five points behind Ludogorets in first, are Portuguese midfielder Tiago Rodrigues and Ruben Pinto. According to Transfermarkt, CSKA is worth eight million euros more than Osijek, and Titograd is nine times more expensive.

If Hajduk advances past the Malta club, they will play against Ventspils from Latvia or Teuta from Albania. In the clash of the Latvian and Albanian teams, it is difficult to determine the favorite. Ventspils only secured fifth place in the championship this season. Teuta came in third last season and was led by former Hajduk player Tomislav Bušić.

The first matches of the 2nd qualifying round are played on July 25, with the return match one week later. Osijek and Hajduk will play away in the first round. 

Rijeka is included in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League and will be a top seed. 

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Ultra Europe is set to take place in Split from July 12 to 14, 2019, however, Hajduk and Ultra are still without an agreement, and allegedly, a contract has yet to be signed, according to Slobodna Dalmacija on June 3, 2019. 

The Split football club and the leadership of one of Europe's largest music spectacles have apparently not found common ground in the latest round of negotiations, and Hajduk-Ultra talks so far have not been fruitful.

Namely, Hajduk is justifiably afraid of the aftermath of the music festival and how it has devastated the Poljud football pitch over the years. Hajduk does have reason to worry, because Ultra conflicts with the beginning of the season when European games are played and the Croatian First League begins. 

Thus, the club is looking for a guarantee that this will not happen again, and that above all, Hajduk has a functioning pitch on time and one that is suitable to host European clubs.

And, after years of experience, putting in a new pitch is the only guarantee that it will be at an adequate level after the festival.

Unfortunately, both sides are not on the same wavelength - and it's already too late to discuss changing the pitch now. Namely, if the other party agrees to replace the pitch, all the deadlines have already been exhausted. Recall, there are only 40 days left until the beginning of Ultra, and a lot that goes into implementing a new lawn, i.e., grass needs to be ordered, delivered, etc. 

Considering Hajduk’s first round of Europa League will be played from July 11 to 18, 2019, the club could potentially move the game to Dugopolje, which is some 30 minutes away from Split. The downside, however, is that the stadium holds considerably fewer fans, which would result in fewer tickets sales and, well, a loss of the atmosphere in general.

So, what will happen next? Stay tuned. 

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The Institute for Sports Research (CIES) published an interesting analysis of attendance at football stadiums around the world, which includes an impressive figure by Hajduk Split.