November 25, 2020 - The presidents of Hajduk and HNS met on Tuesday in Zagreb to discuss several topics and open issues that directly and indirectly concern the Split club and Croatian Football Federation.

The President of the Management Board of HNK Hajduk, Lukša Jakobušić, met with the President of HNS Davor Šuker at the headquarters of the Federation in Zagreb. The meeting lasted an hour and 20 minutes, and the two discussed a number of topics and open issues that directly and indirectly concern Hajduk and HNS.

"This meeting is a logical sequence of what I announced in my inaugural speech. I want to talk about everything and for a start, I choose the most difficult topics which, understandably, are of most interest to Hajduk, but also to the wider football public. I think that the context and issues of the relationship between Hajduk and the Croatian Football Federation are well known to everyone. The president of HNS is the one who represents the Federation and who has the power to resolve the open issues and problems we discussed today. I met him and repeated things that bother not only Hajduk, but the entire football public because I have the impression that some attempts at positive changes on our part were rejected only because of the way they were presented," said Jakobušić after the meeting.

One of the topics discussed was hosting Croatia national team matches at Poljud.

"If Poljud will be the primary home of the Croatia national football team in the next few years, given the condition of Maksimir, then it is logical for HNS to invest in infrastructure. I am thinking especially for the new pitch."

Representatives of HNK Hajduk currently do not participate in the work of the HNS body.

"Regarding the presence of Hajduk representatives in the bodies of the Federation, we first want to focus on the football federation of Split-Dalmatia County where Hajduk must be the bearer and leader of positive vibes, choose the right people, renew and strengthen relations with clubs in Dalmatia, and only then participate in HNS. And we want to be ready and equipped for the HNS elections that are scheduled for next year. My personal focus is Hajduk, but Dalmatia must have representatives in HNS who are familiar with Hajduk."

What Hajduk will continue to strongly insist on is the transparency of work within HNS and the moral credibility of all persons who represent HNS or are in any way involved in its work.

"I emphasized once again how important transparency is for the HNS institution itself. The key is what I emphasized at the inaugural press conference, and that is that people who are legally, and in the case of HNS, illegally convicted, have no place within the Federation. This is primarily important for HNS, and indirectly for all clubs, to change the climate of the general impression and restore confidence in the umbrella football institution.

We will not and do not want to run away from all these challenges, we want to confront all stakeholders with them and now, using chess vocabulary, it's the Federation's move. Maintaining the status quo suits only those who benefit from it," concluded Jakobušić.

"We spoke openly about everything, I hope that we will roll up our sleeves as soon as possible and do a lot to benefit Croatian football. We care that Hajduk is strong, competitive and that, in football jargon, it has power. The Croatian Football Federation will not interfere in the work of the Football Federation of Split-Dalmatia County, which must be independent. I would like Hajduk to be the main conductor there and an important factor, everything that its leaders must show by acting through that institution in order to enter the HNS Assembly, is important and they have my support in this matter. It is very important to us that Hajduk continues to create quality young players and that Croatia continues to draw football talents from all over Dalmatia. The national team is coming to Split again in March, and we have to do everything to provide Modrić, Perišić and the company with excellent conditions for the game. We have already made a decision on the reconstruction of the field in Varaždin, Velika Gorica and Šibenik, and my proposal at the next session of the Executive Board will be to fix the Poljud stadium pitch," concluded Davor Šuker.

Source: HNK Hajduk website, HNS wesbite

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November 23, 2020 - The 12th round of the Croatian First League was held from November 20 to 21, 2020. In this round, Osijek topped Dinamo 2:0, and Hajduk won away at Belupo.

Lokomotiva v. Varazdin (2:2)

Lokomotiva and Varazdin opened the 12th round on Friday, November 20, 2020, in Zagreb. 

Delic scored the first goal for Varazdin in the 7th minute, though Chajia was quick to equalize for Lokomotiva with a goal three minutes later for 1:1. An own goal by Hendija gave Varazdin the 1:2 lead in the 60th, but a last-minute equalizer by Papadopoulos ended the game 2:2. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 8th place with 8 points, while Varazdin is in 9th with 8. 

Sibenik v. Gorica (1:3)

Sibenik and Gorica met for the second match on Friday, November 20, 2020, in Sibenik.

While Ampem gave Sibenik the lead in the 7th minute and through the first half, Gorica woke up in the second and scored all three of their goals - Cabraja in the 62nd, Suk in the 81st, and Lovric in the 3rd minute of added time. 

Sibenik is currently in 6th place with 13 points, while Gorica is in 3rd with 19. 

Osijek v. Dinamo (2:0)

Osijek and Dinamo met on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at City Garden Stadium.

While the first half went without goals, Osijek's Pilj gave the home team the lead in the 54th minute, and Zaper increased their lead to 2:0 in the 89th for the final score of the match. 

Osijek is currently in 2nd place with 23 points, while Dinamo is in first with 26.

Slaven Belupo v. Hajduk (0:2)

Belupo and Hajduk closed out the 12th round on Saturday, November 21, 2020, in Koprivnica. 

Hajduk Nayir scored the first goal of the match just before the half for 0:1. An own goal by Soldo increased Hajduk's lead to 0:2 in the 56th minute, which was the final result. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 11 points, while Hajduk is in 5th with 14. 

At the request of Rijeka, which counted seven footballers positive for coronavirus, the Croatian Football Federation postponed their 12th round match against Istria 1961, which was to be played on Saturday, November 21, in Pula. 

See the full HNL table HERE. 

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November 20, 2020 - The City of Trogir and Hajduk are moving forward with the construction of a modern football camp, Hajduk’s most important infrastructure project in the 21st century.

On Thursday, HNK Hajduk president Lukša Jakobušić held an operational meeting in Trogir accompanied by the President's head of office Jelena Mikačić, Trogir Mayor Ante Bilić, and his associates, Deputy Mayor Viktor Novak and City Council President Ante Piteša.

This is a continuation of the project initiated by the former Hajduk President Marin Brbić, who in July signed a contract for the construction of a capital infrastructure project at the Divulje barracks near Split Airport as a solid foundation for the development and progress of the Split club.

Several important topics were discussed with the priority of transferring land from the Ministry of Defense to the City of Trogir. It is usually a longer process, but with joint efforts, all participants in the meeting believe it will be completed soon. Among other things, project financing was discussed, and various options for external funding sources were considered. Mayor Bilić reported that the City is already working intensively on land parceling and that registration in the cadastre can be expected in about 10 days. Also, the City has already initiated Amendments to the Spatial Plan at the City Council.

A working, conceptual solution already exists, but given the space's value, it was agreed to make an architectural and urban tender for this scope. They will contact the Society of Architects Split, with which the City of Trogir has been cooperating for the last few years to conduct the competition as professionally and as well as possible. Upon completion of the project and complex financial construction, there are permits. The camp's construction is planned in phases, and the joint conclusion of the City and Hajduk is that the camp will be in full operation in the next four years.

"This was a working meeting with the representatives of the city of Trogir, whom I thank for their exceptional cooperation and concreteness. We don’t want to waste time, but be productive. The camp's construction is, along with the success and result of the first team and the creation of a winning mentality, one of the most important projects of my term. I am aware that four years are concise for realizing the project, but the plan is for the camp to be built and put into operation during that period. I will personally participate in the project until a member of the Board is appointed who will, among other things, be in charge of building the camp," said Jakobušić, who gifted jerseys to the representatives of the City of Trogir after the meeting.

"We are happy that this project remains among the priorities for President Jakobušić, as well as with the steps we agreed on at our first operational meeting. Since the signing of the contract and the council session, we have communicated with the Ministry of Defense, and I believe that the transfer of ownership will soon be formally completed. Hajduk's camp is important for Trogir for many reasons, primarily because of the new modern sports infrastructure that does not exist in this part of Europe that will benefit our citizens, and depending on the final appearance of the project, be part of our additional tourist offer. Initially, we planned to build the stadium on our own. Still, the renovation of our Batarija with the infrastructure that we will get through this camp with Hajduk as a partner is a better solution from its aspect. There is no need to talk about the pride of my fellow citizens that Trogir will become the second home of Hajduk. There is still a lot of work ahead of us, but the plan presented to us seems sustainable and rational," said the Mayor of Trogir Ante Bilić.

Source: Hajduk website

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November 9, 2020 - The 11th round of the Croatian First League was held from November 7 to 8, 2020. This round saw Hajduk and Osijek draw at Poljud, while Dinamo toppled Istra 5:0. 

Varazdin v. Sibenik (1:3)

Varazdin and Sibenik opened the 11th round on Saturday, November 7, 2020, in Varazdin. 

Juric scored two goals for Sibenik in the first half (8', 26') for 0:2 at the half. A hattrick in the 57th minute made Juric the hero of the game. Varazdin's Benko slightly reduced Sibenik's lead with a goal in the 70th minute for the final result of 1:3. 

Varazdin is currently in last place with 7 points, while Sibenik is in 5th place with 13. 

Hajduk v. Osijek (1:1)

Hajduk and Osijek met in the second match on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at Poljud stadium in Split. 

Osijek took the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to a goal by Mierez for 0:1 at the half. Hajduk's Colina equalized for 1:1 in the 55th minute. Hajduk missed a last-minute penalty, resulting in a 1:1 draw. 

Hajduk is currently in 7th place with 11 points, while Osijek is in 2nd place with 20. 

Dinamo v. Istra 1961 (5:0)

Dinamo and Istra met at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb on Sunday, November 8, 2020. 

Gavranovic opened the scoring spree for Dinamo in the 6th minute, followed by a Jakic goal just before the half for 2:0. Gavranovic scored again in the 75th minute, followed by another quick goal one minute later by Orsic for 4:0 in the 76th minute. Tolic secured Dinamo's 5:0 victory with the final goal in the 87th minute. 

Dinamo is currently in first place with 26 points, while Istra is in 8th with 8. 

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Rijeka and Lokomotiva closed out the 11th round on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Rujevica stadium. 

Muric scored the only goal of the match, which happened in the 17th minute from a penalty to give Rijeka the win.

Rijeka is currently in 4th place with 15 points, while Lokomotiva is in 9th with 7. 

Recall, Gorica was supposed to host Slaven Belupo on Sunday, November 8, at 19:10, though the match was postponed again due to COVID-19. 

Several members of the Koprivnica first league squad tested positive, including players and members of the professional staff, so the entire team was ordered by the competent epidemiologist to go into self-isolation until Thursday, November 12. 

Gorica thus did not play for the third round in a row, as their previous two matches were also postponed (against Rijeka and Varazdin) because of COVID-19. 

You can see the full HNL table here.

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November 4, 2020 - The Hajduk transformation continues as Hari Vukas is sacked as the first-team coach. The Split club announced today that Boro Primorac would takeover. 

Vukas is leaving the bench of the Split club after three consecutive defeats, and after Mario Stanic and Ivan Kepcija left Poljud this week.

Vukas took over the Hajduk coaching role after Igor Tudor's departure on August 21, 2020. In that period, he led 10 official matches, achieving four victories, five defeats, and one draw. In the last five rounds, he won only three points, and Hajduk is in sixth place.

"I wish all the best to my Hajduk and a lot of success to the new coach. Unfortunately, the results were not what we all expected together; I hope and believe that Hajduk will rise in the next period and get where it belongs," said Vukas. His assistant Jurica Vucko also left the club.

In his coaching career, Vukas was Tudor's assistant at Hajduk, Karabukspor, Galatasaray, and Udinese, and last year he took over Zrinjski and was fired after five months.

Hajduk then named the new coach of Hajduk - Boro Primorac. 

The head of the HNK Hajduk Academy, Luka Kaliterna, Primorac accepted this role after talks with the President of the Management Board, Luksa Jakobusic.

Boro Primorac's professional staff consists of his first assistant Toni Golem, the goalkeeper coach remains Hrvoje Sunara, and fitness coaches are still Toni Modric and Sime Versic. Coach Primorac will have his first game leading Hajduk on Saturday at 5:05 pm.

Boro Primorac is a legendary Hajduk player and coach who spent most of his career in England at Arsenal, where he was Arsène Wenger's first assistant (21 years in total). As head coach, he led Cannes and Valenciennes, the Guinea-Bissau national team, and as an assistant coach to Wenger, he also worked for Naoya Grampus in Japan.

In his playing career, he played for Velež, Hajduk, Lille, and Cannes. He scored the first official goal for Hajduk at Poljud stadium. He played a total of 283 games for Hajduk and scored 53 goals.

Source: Hajduk.hr

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November 4, 2020 - The changes at Hajduk continue, as Ivan Kepcija is no longer the club's sports director. 

The Split club announced the news on their official website:

"As of today, Ivan Kepcija is no longer the sports director of Hajduk.

He performed this function from December 2019 to November 2020, and he parted ways with the Club after an agreed termination."

"It was an honor to be part of the club, and I thank the people who gave me the opportunity and trust. Despite the president's desire to continue cooperation, I felt it was time to leave and therefore proposed an amicable termination of my contract. I want to thank everyone for their cooperation and wish the Club a lot of luck and success in further work and competition," Ivan Kepcija said about parting ways with Hajduk.

"We wish Mr. Kepcija a lot of luck and success in his future career!" Hajduk concluded. 

This is a continuation of the major changes at Poljud led by the new president Luksa Jakobusic. However, according to Kepcija above, there was a chance that Hajduk would continue with him as the sports director.

Jakobusic is Hajduk's 11th president, and when he took over the Split club on Friday, he announced a sudden change in operations. The first to lose his job was the legendary Mario Stanic, who served as chief adviser to former Hajduk president Marin Brbic. Stanic was sacked by the club on Monday.

Kepcija was brought to Hajduk by Stanic.

Next on Jakobusic's list is coach Hari Vukas, who has suffered three defeats in Hajduk's last three games. Jakobusic's first pick for the new Hajduk coach is Slovenian coach Matjaz Kek, who was not only the longest-serving manager by single appointment in the history of the Croatian First Football League during his time at Rijeka, but also won the Croatian Championship, Cup, and Super Cup with the club. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

November 3, 2020 - With Luksa Jakobusic as the new president of the Split club, many changes can be expected, the first of which occurred on Monday as Hajduk sacked advisor Mario Stanic.

Mario Stanic is no longer an advisor to the Hajduk president! After a desperate and disastrous start to this season, the former great player and legendary member of the Croatia national team left Poljud. He arrived at the club 11 months ago as an adviser to former president Marin Brbic, and after Brbic's resignation at the end of July, he did not advise practically anyone. His role overlapped with the role of sports director Ivan Kepcija.

"As of today, Mario Stanic is no longer an advisor for sports policy to the President of the Management Board of HNK Hajduk and will no longer perform any function in the Club.

We wish Mr. Stanic a lot of luck and success in his future career," Hajduk announced on Monday.

One year ago, Hajduk fired coach Damir Buric, and after five years, Igor Tudor returned to the club as a coach. Stanic also brought a new sports director, the young Ivan Kepcija. 

Upon their arrival at the club, Stanic and Kepcija promised continuity in the coaching staff and promotion of Croatian players, but Hajduk's poor play is proof that they failed.

Luksa Jakobusic, the 11th consecutive president, took over the club on Friday and announced a sharp turn in operations. After Hajduk's third consecutive defeat, the current team at Hajduk is anything but safe, and Stanic's departure could be sensed immediately after Jakobusic's first address as president.

Namely, at the official presentation, Jakobusic said that he did not need an advisor and thus questioned the future of Mario Stanic at the club.

"Someone allowed Hajduk to be in that position, and because of that, the president does not have to leave. I want Stanic to explain the logic of departures and arrivals of players, especially arrivals, and how they intend to continue. In that context, I would also talk about Kepcija. There is a lot of illogicalities. Either one is not for the coach or the sports director is not the one."

After Stanic's dismissal, the key question is whether Kepcija will remain the club's sports director. Jakobusic will speak to him and make another important decision soon. Hari Vukas led the afternoon training at Poljud on Monday, though many believe it could be his last.

Source: Index.hr

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October 30, 2020 - Big news from Poljud this morning as Hajduk names Luksa Jakobusic its new president!

This was decided by Hajduk's Supervisory Board, which in the end, did not select a leader from among the candidates who applied for the competition.

From May 16 to November 4, 2019, Jakobusic held the position of Hajduk's Vice President and resigned for personal reasons.

As for the current situation, Marin Brbic resigned on July 13 but had the support of the Supervisory Board. On July 22, he announced a definitive departure, saying 'It is humiliating that the association Naš Hajduk voted no confidence in me.'

The competition for the new president was announced on August 17, though it seems that no one applied for the role that the Supervisory Board thought deemed worthy.

Many wanted Jakobusic to return to Hajduk even sooner because he holds strong leadership skills, and the supervisors knew his qualities well. However, only after talking to the candidates from the competition did they decide that there is no one better for Hajduk than Luksa.

The news was announced on the official Hajduk website this morning:

"Luksa Jakobusic is the new President of the Management Board of HNK Hajduk. Born in Dubrovnik in 1976, he is an entrepreneur with many years of experience in the private sector and a successful sports worker. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Sports Management at Aspira and has completed an EMBA at Cotrugli Business School.

Jakobusic was the president of VK Jug from 2013 to 2017. In that period, the club won five trophies in one season, which until then was not succeeded by any sports club in the country, making him the most successful president in Jug's great history. Luksa Jakobusic served as vice president of HNK Hajduk from May to November 2019.

He is a Croatian veteran and is decorated for his participation in the military-police operation Storm."

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October 28, 2020 - Torcida celebrates 70 years on October 28, 2020. A look at the birthday bash around Split, the beloved home of Hajduk. 

Torcida did not let the people of Split down when they promised a spectacle bigger than Hajduk's 100th birthday. Anyone that made it to midnight last night, and trust me, there were thousands, now have memories that will last with them for a lifetime thanks to the flare-filled spectacle. 

And what a sight it was. 

At midnight, the sky lit pink when Torcida launched flares and fireworks high above to celebrate 70 years of their firm, which is the oldest organized fan group in Europe. Torcida alone was said to have some 8,000 flares for the event.

But the celebration didn't stop there. 

At exactly at noon today, the bells rang on the bell tower of Saint Domnius Cathedral in Split, where Torcida hoisted a 30-meter flag.

And then to the Riva, which was draped in a rainbow of colors this afternoon. 

But Split and Dalmatia were not the only places celebrating. The chants of the famous fan group could be heard far east - in Slavonia!

Namely, DPH Vukovar published a video of Torcida Slavonia, which marked its jubilee birthday in the same spectacular way. The torchlight procession in Osijek's Tvrđa lit up the entire city in red, confirming there are Hajduk fans all over Croatia.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

October 27, 2020 - On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, Torcida celebrates 70 years. A spectacle is promised in Split and across Dalmatia. 

"Dear fellow citizens, on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, Torcida celebrates its 70th birthday, and on the occasion of this jubilee anniversary, on Tuesday, October 27, at exactly midnight, we are preparing a spectacle never before seen in the world.

We have all witnessed the magnificent celebration of Hajduk's 100th anniversary, and this time we decided to raise the bar even higher to show once again that our city has no equal in celebrations.

In these 70 years, Torcida, as the oldest European fan group, has grown into a movement that goes beyond the frame of fans, and today we proudly highlight our contribution to the community. Whenever needed, Torcida was the first to respond; whether it was humanitarian action, blood donation, or the prevention of natural disasters, Torcida is always on the front line!

On the night we celebrate 70 years of our existence, our immeasurable love and loyalty to Hajduk and our city are connected. On that night, all the kilometers we went through because of our beloved club, all our festivities and victories are connected.

Therefore, we invite you to join us, to prove on Tuesday at midnight what we often like to emphasize: We are all Torcida! So don't be extras; on the contrary, be one of us that evening, take to the streets, go out on your balconies and windows, invite relatives, neighbors, and friends to join you, wake up your children to see an unseen spectacle, let our whole city be Torcida that night!

For history, for the present, for the future! ” Torcida announced. 

To get an idea of what you can witness at midnight, have a look at the spectacle for Hajduk's 100th in the video below:

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