Macedonian giants Vardar opted for Srgjan Zaharievski to be the new coach hopping to raise the team from the bottom of the table.
photo by FC Struga; Zaharievski while coaching Struga
After four rounds in the Macedonian elite Vardar is stuck at the table bottom with only 3 points from the Derby of Macedonia win over Pelister, and three defeats, the last coming from relegation favorites Voska Sport in Skopje.
Goran Petreski, who took over the coaching job after Gorazd Mihailov resigned after the lone win, led the team to two devastating defeats (Shkupi 0:3, Voska Sport 1:3) and decided to step down. “Me and my professional staff take responsibility for the two defeats in a row and from today we will no longer perform the coaching function in the club. I have always given my whole heart to Vardar, it was the same this time as well, I regret that all that love and dedication did not produce the desired results” – said Petreski upon resigning.
Srgajn Zaharievski was on holiday in Greece when was asked to come to a meeting with the club’s board on Monday morning. The former Vardar midfielder immediately came and agreed to terms. Details from there contract at this moment haven’t been revealed.
Zaharievski in his coaching career led Metalurg, Pelister, Struga and Voska Sport. He created the Struga team that brought the club its first league title in 2023, although he parted ways with the club in February due to a disagreement with the board. Later he led Voska Sport to its first historic Cup final last season, at the end falling to Tikvesh. Previously, he led now defunct Metalurg to the 3rd place in 1.MFL in 2012/13 and to the Cup final of 2013, that he also lost.
As a player Zaharievski played for Vardar from January 2001 to the summer of 2004. He scored a stunning volley against Roma in the UEFA Cup qualifiers in 2003 (1:1 in Skopje).
He started his career at now defunct Osogovo from his hometown of Kriva Palanka and also plated for Sileks, Stuttgart, Campomaiorense, Doxa, Rhodos, Anagennisi Karditsa, Teteks and Metalurg. For Macedonia he earned 22 caps scoring 3 goals.