Slovenia FA attempt to persuade Katanec to stay

Updated: Friday June 14, 2002 09:46 a.m. ET

LJUBLJANA, June 14 (Reuters) - Slovenia's coach Srecko Katanec is sticking to his decision to quit after their disappointing World Cup despite attempts by the national football association to change his mind.

Slovenia lost all their group B matches but Katanec announced after the first defeat to Spain that he would quit following a row with Benfica midfielder, Zlatko Zahovic.

Slovenia FA president, Franc Zavrl, told reporters in Korea: "I'll still try to convince him to change his mind. If I fail, well, we will have to get another coach."

After the initial support Slovenian media had given to Katanec in the dispute with Zahovic, the coach's popularity has dropped in the last days in light of new incidents and the collapse of the squad's unity.

The latest took place on Thursday when Katanec started screaming and name-calling after a Slovenian reporter asked for a break during an interview so that he could file a report to his radio station.

Despite this, Slovenia's president Milan Kucan announced he would welcome the squad on Saturday after it returns from Korea.

Meanwhile, Katanec, who had been regarded as a miracle-worker for guiding Slovenia to the finals, has told the national press that hopes were too high prior to the finals.

GREAT SUCCESS

"Nobody can be pleased after losing three matches, but for Slovenia this has been a great success, especially since not once were we defeated shamefully, but always fought and had our chances," daily Delo quoted Katanec as saying on Friday.

At their first World Cup finals, Slovenia lost 3-1 against Spain, 1-0 against South Africa and 3-1 against Paraguay.

"I did forecast such a result but the public opinion and the players were carried away by an unavoidable media euphoria," Katanec said.

He also admitted for the first time that the squad was not as prepared as it was at the 2000 European Championship when it performed far more creditably.

Katanec avoided any mention to his feud with Zahovic who was sent home after the match with Spain, but explained the event diverted the team's energy from the preparations for the match against South Africa.

Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.