Players who boycotted the Bosnian national team in protest at football association (NSBIH) mis-management will return to the fold, new coach Miroslav Blazevic said yesterday.
"Not a single player that I contacted has rejected my call," said the experienced Bosnia-born Croat, who signed his contract yesterday following his appointment two weeks ago.
"I assure you that all of them will be present. Those who fail to show up will not be called again," the 73-year-old told a news conference.
Blazevic, whose first test is a friendly at home to Bulgaria next month, will need his best side for their opening World Cup qualifier away to European champions Spain in Group 5 on September 6. They also face Turkey, Belgium, Estonia and Armenia.
Blazevic was the unanimous choice of the NSBIH to replace Meho Kodro, who was sacked in May, raising hopes among fans that the Balkan country can qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Blazevic achieved his greatest coaching success when he led Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup in France. He has also coached the Swiss and Iran national teams and 18 club sides in the former Yugoslavia, Switzerland, France and Croatia.
"We believe we have the best possible choice at the moment because Blazevic is the coach among all coaches, a great European and world coaching name with huge experience," said NSBIH president Iljo Dominkovic.
"We all want to accomplish good results in the forthcoming qualifiers and hope we have found the best solution to achieve them," Dominkovic said.
Blazevic, born in the central Bosnian town of Travnik, said he was delighted that his election was a result of NSBIH unity and that he would do his best to justify their confidence.
"We are today in a very complex, even delicate situation," he said, referring to the team's poor results and fans' loss confidence in the players and the NSBIH.
"It is inconceivable to achieve results without unity. We are too small not to be united," Blazevic said.
Nineteen players refused to play in Bosnia's friendly against Azerbaijan in May, a 1-0 home win, and fans boycotted the match in protest against Kodro's sacking.
At least eight players boycotted matches over the last year and called on NSBIH officials to resign.