KUWAIT CITY, July 8: The Kuwait Club Board of Directors has reached an agreement with Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic to lead the team in the upcoming 2024-2025 season, succeeding Tunisian Nabil Maaloul.

Jovovic brings a distinguished career, having extensive experience in the Arab region. He has served on the technical staff of Saudi and Jordanian clubs and has held coaching positions with Iraqi Police, Egyptian Zamalek, Tunisian Sfaxien, Qatari Al-Ahly, and UAE’s Khor Fakkan. Previously, he also worked as an assistant coach at Kuwait's Kazma Club during the 2012-2013 season.

Starting his career as a player in Montenegro and Yugoslavia, Jovovic played professionally in Turkish, Russian, Swedish, Chinese, and Polish clubs. The 50-year-old Montenegrin coach is expected to join the Kuwait Club delegation at their training camp in Turkey either today or tomorrow, coinciding with the official announcement of his contract and an explanation regarding the departure of Nabil Maaloul.

The team has been in Turkey since last Sunday for a training camp, scheduled to continue until July 29, during which it will participate in several friendly matches. "Al-Abyad" aims to dominate domestically, particularly in the Zain Premier League, after clinching the title last season but missing out on the Amir Cup and Crown Prince's Cup.

Its league title defense begins on August 8 against Al-Qadisiya. Additionally, Kuwait Club seeks success in international competitions, particularly in the Asian Championship and the qualifying play-off for the AFC Champions League 2. It faces a tough challenge against Al-Ahly of Bahrain on August 14 in Manama, with the loser continuing in the Asian Cup competitions.

With the technical staff finalized, Kuwait Club has completed its foreign player contracts, nearing an agreement with Moroccan Yahya Gibran alongside Tunisian Yassine Al-Khanisi, Bahraini Mohamed Marhoun, Argentine Sergio Vitor, and Congolese Arsene Zola.

Meanwhile, Maaloul remained in Tunisia due to personal commitments, missing the team's camp in Turkey. Reports suggest serious negotiations between Maaloul and the Moroccan Wydad Club for his potential appointment.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff