Milan fan
01-05-2002, 11:56 PM
The decision was made after 23 players refused to turn out in a forthcoming tournament in Oman and Bahrain.
Jovanovski, who only signed a three-and-a-half year contract in June, is expected to take over at three-times domestic champions Sloga Jugomagnat in mid-January.
He spoke last week of his dismay that so many of his first-choice squad would miss the competition against Finland, Albania and Bahrain due to injuries or commitments with their clubs. "Far too many are pulling out," he said.
Jovanovski also threatened to resign on December 10 if he did not receive the full backing of the executive board, who he believes have not done enough to defend him from attacks by a variety of people, most notably former boss Gjoko Hadzievski.
There were also thought to be elements within the Macedonian governing body who didn't support him. "Either I get their support or it's best for all that we finish our collaboration," he said. "They are the only two possible solutions. There is no third option."
Jovanovski caused a stir earlier this year when he dropped star striker Gorgi Hristov and captain Toni Micevski after they broke a team curfew by just ten minutes.
He defended his strong-arm tactics at the time, saying: "Maybe I was too soft. My biggest mistake was that I had too much trust in some players and that backfired on me.
"Some players think that they belong only to the first team. If all famous European players can sit on the bench when they are in bad shape, I don't see why Macedonian players can't do the same.
"They must understand that it is an honour to play for your country. As long as I am coach, I will encourage that kind of thinking. I will never beg somebody to play."
Jovanovski, who only signed a three-and-a-half year contract in June, is expected to take over at three-times domestic champions Sloga Jugomagnat in mid-January.
He spoke last week of his dismay that so many of his first-choice squad would miss the competition against Finland, Albania and Bahrain due to injuries or commitments with their clubs. "Far too many are pulling out," he said.
Jovanovski also threatened to resign on December 10 if he did not receive the full backing of the executive board, who he believes have not done enough to defend him from attacks by a variety of people, most notably former boss Gjoko Hadzievski.
There were also thought to be elements within the Macedonian governing body who didn't support him. "Either I get their support or it's best for all that we finish our collaboration," he said. "They are the only two possible solutions. There is no third option."
Jovanovski caused a stir earlier this year when he dropped star striker Gorgi Hristov and captain Toni Micevski after they broke a team curfew by just ten minutes.
He defended his strong-arm tactics at the time, saying: "Maybe I was too soft. My biggest mistake was that I had too much trust in some players and that backfired on me.
"Some players think that they belong only to the first team. If all famous European players can sit on the bench when they are in bad shape, I don't see why Macedonian players can't do the same.
"They must understand that it is an honour to play for your country. As long as I am coach, I will encourage that kind of thinking. I will never beg somebody to play."