Mišković Reveals Rijeka's Plans
Rijeka president Damir Mišković spoke to Torpedo Media about Yusuf Kabadayi's arrival, Toni Fruk's status, and Zlatko Dalić's departure from the Vatreni bench.
Rijeka president Damir Mišković spoke to Torpedo Media about Yusuf Kabadayi's arrival, Toni Fruk's status, and Zlatko Dalić's departure from the Vatreni bench.
NK Rijeka president Damir Mišković gave an extensive interview to Torpedo Media, revealing that the transfer window at Rujevica is not yet closed. Although winger Yusuf Kabadayi has already arrived, the club's top man announced another addition to that position. He also touched on sports funding, calling on businesspeople to get more involved, and announced that Rijeka should have a general sponsor by the end of the year.
Twenty-two-year-old Yusuf Kabadayi arrived in Rijeka from Germany's Augsburg, having previously worn the Bayern jersey and gained experience on loans at Gaziantep and Schalke. The negotiations dragged on, and Mišković revealed that agreeing on the transfer was not easy.
"We talked with him for a month; after all, these are big clubs, so it wasn't easy. We got what we wanted, but we can't expect him to be a reinforcement tomorrow morning because he hasn't gone through preseason. It will take time to get him into optimal shape," Mišković told Torpedo Media.
The club president emphasized that the player is fast, extremely mobile, and very good, but for now he has the status of a new signing rather than a reinforcement because he still needs to prove himself. Additionally, he revealed that the search for wing positions is not over. "I think one more winger will come, from abroad, because there isn't one in our area," he added.
One of the main topics was the future of Toni Fruk. Although speculation about his departure has been ongoing for months, he is still at Rujevica. Mišković revealed that there is a clear agreement with the player.
"He stays until someone buys him. We also have a verbal agreement to extend his contract if he isn't sold. I'd like him to be sold because it's time for him to go, but we know that everyone talks nonsense during this transfer period; that's normal, it's part of football. He just needs to stay calm and play; an offer will surely come..." said Rijeka's top man.
Interest in Fruk is not in question. Mišković confirmed that inquiries are coming from Saudi Arabia, America, including MLS, and Russia. "We just need to weigh what's best for him and what's best for us, and for an offer to come. If no offer comes, nothing will happen. It certainly puts financial strain on us, but we'll manage; we'll survive," he said.
Mišković also commented on former Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić, who disappointed Rijeka fans by not giving Fruk a chance at the World Cup. Nevertheless, the club president defends Dalić's decision, citing Fruk's hand injury that caused a long layoff as the key reason for his lack of playing time.
"We're all disappointed when our favorite doesn't play, but Zlatko is his own man. You can't tell Zlatko 'this or that player must play,' and that's his great value. At that moment, the guys who played were better than Fruk, unfortunately. Let's remember that Fruk had a long break due to his hand problem, and that was the reason he didn't play," Mišković explained.
He added that Dalić, along with the Croatian Football Federation, has earned the gratitude of the entire country and that he did a fantastic job that will be hard to replicate in the next 50 years. Mišković believes the former coach made the right move by going to the Emirates. "I think he did a top job by leaving because he was at his peak, and every little mistake was being measured times 10 or times 100. It's better for him and for everyone that he stepped away, and let him do a fantastic job in the Emirates. I wish him all the best, him and his family," Mišković concluded.
