After closing its first round last week, the Champions handball will rest until next November 20 due to national team commitments. By then, in group B of the Barçaleader with 13 out of 14 possible points, there will be two new coaches who will try to improve the situation of two clubs whose impatience has already taken its toll on their coaches.
He Aalborgthe current runners-up in the Champions League, has had little patience with his new coach, Mike Machullawho joined the Danish club this summer. Machulla, with six seasons at the helm of SG Flensburg German as the best endorsement (2017-2023), replaced Stefan Madsenwho accepted the offer of Al Ahly Egyptian after six years on the Danish bench.
“The decision has been made taking into account several factors. Firstly, we are not satisfied with the team’s play, where we did not experience the development and fluidity that we expected. In addition, we have seen signs of lack of spark and joy in the team “In general, we have underperformed in relation to the resources we have available,” explains the sporting director on the Aalborg website. Jan Larsen.
“Of course, we regret that the collaboration did not turn out as both parties expected, but we also felt that we had reached a point where we had to act. We wish Maik all the best for the future,” adds Larsen. Simon DahlMachulla’s assistant, currently assumes the position of first coach and pivot Henrik Mollgaard He will act as player-assistant.
Aalborg is fourth in group B of the Champions League with seven points after three wins, one draw and three losses, while in the Danish League adds 15 points, the same as the Fredericia and the Bjerringbro-Silkeborgthe three to four points of the leader, the GOG (19). Seven wins, one draw and two losses is Aalborg’s record in the domestic championship.
Velimir Petkovic, presented as new coach of HC Zagreb
HC Zagreb
The other technician who has jumped these days, Andrija Nikolicincreases a little more the fame of ‘devouring trainers’ that the HC Zagreb. Since the arrival of the former Barcelona player to the bench Veselin Vujovic In 2014, Zagreb has experienced 16 coaching changes in 10 years with the last one announced by the Croatian club: Velimir Petkovic replaces Nikolic after signing a contract until June 2026 with the option to extend.
After several years with much more pain than glory in the Champions League, Zagreb, led by Nikolic, showed some new green shoots, surpassed the group stage last season and reached the round of 16, but the team is now again the bottom of group B with two points and the board of directors has dismissed the coach just a year or so after his arrival at the club. Zagreb is the leader of the Croatian League with eight wins and 16 points.
“Now comes the real work and proving it. For me, Zagreb has always been a European giant, regardless of the current situation in the standings. I am aware that expectations are high,” says Petkovic on the club’s website.
