Didije Dinar sits on the bench of the Montenegrin handball team as he transitions to the football field similarly to how his namesake Desan took charge of the national team.

Recognized as one of the greatest defenders in history, having secured world champion titles both as a player and coach, he is now the new coach of the Lions.

This news created quite a stir in the handball community, especially as Petar Kapisoda, president of the Handball Association of Montenegro, unveiled how Montenegro managed to recruit such a prominent figure to “Vijesti”.

The financial implications of Dinar’s arrival are particularly intriguing, given the challenges national associations in Montenegro face in attracting large names.

– Didije is moving from a significant global system to Montenegro, which is relatively small in the realm of world handball; however, right from the start, it was evident that he possesses the necessary enthusiasm and positive energy. Finances were not his main concern; instead, he aims to implement his system with players he knows and respects – Kaplan emphasized.

The former member of the Montenegrin national team did not disclose the exact figure involved, but he added…

– Our resources are limited – and he was proposed the same terms as his predecessors. If finances, rather than the shared ambitions, had been his priority, Montenegro would definitely not have been his choice – Kapisoda asserted.

It all started in Guadeloupe

The collaboration with a man who is a three-time world champion, as well as a two-time Olympic and European victor, began last summer when our national team visited Guadeloupe, upon Dinar’s invitation, as he hails from that French overseas territory. He was a generous host, and we established a fruitful cooperation with continuous communication – Kapisoda said.

Discussions intensified after the “lions”, under Vlad Šol, failed to qualify for another major tournament.

– We initiated conversations regarding the potential of Dinar taking over the Montenegrin team post our World Cup play-off failure and subsequent elimination in Italy. Ultimately, negotiations concluded successfully, and I firmly believe that his appointment signifies the dawn of a new era for our national team.

Establishing a System, Avoiding Unrealistic Expectations

What was Dinar’s response upon receiving the Montenegro invitation?

– It’s crucial to note that he was not the sole candidate, nor the only option we explored. However, during our initial conversation, he demonstrated professionalism, seriousness, and ambition to build a robust system in Montenegro that would support the national team – Kapisoda explained.

Does Dinart’s arrival elevate Montenegro’s ambitions?

– His presence is vital for creating the foundational system that will support Montenegro in the upcoming period. Ensuring that we don’t set unrealistic expectations based solely on his arrival is essential. The focus must be on developing a system and maximizing the expertise of someone who has been part of a handball system renowned for expertise over the last 25 years – Kapisoda clarified.

He stressed that the concept of “system” emerged as a key focus during discussions.

– At every moment, he emphasized the importance of implementing a “system” in defense, offense, and transitions. Successfully integrating this into our national team is crucial, as the generation he belongs to is arguably the best in handball history. If he accomplishes this, it will undoubtedly yield numerous benefits for Montenegrin handball – there is no doubt in Kapisoda’s mind.

One Request in the Contract

What is the duration of the agreement with the legendary French handball player?

– We agreed on a two-year term, which also applies to the women’s national team coach Suzana Lazović. Dinar had a singular request, which we granted, allowing him to leave before the contract ends if he is approached by the French national association – Kapisoda concluded.

Four Years Without Financial Support from State-Owned Companies

The fact that the Handball Association has not received support from any state-owned companies illustrates that finances were not a decisive factor in acquiring Didier Dinar.

– We are marking a sort of milestone, celebrating four years without a state-owned company allocating even a euro towards the activities of our national teams. We concluded the last Olympic cycle without financial backing from state companies and have now entered a new cycle, also devoid of support at that level – Kapisoda explained.

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