RISTO Vidakovic, the Serbian coach who had a successful run in the Philippine club tournaments, will bring his vast experience to Maldives.
Maziya Sports and Recreation Club, which the now defunct Ceres-Negros FC once faced in the AFC Cup six years ago, announced on Sunday night the appointment of Vidakovic as its new head coach.
Vidakovic led the Busmen to three domestic league titles.
Under Vidakovic, Ceres-Negros FC’s highest point was in the 2017 AFC Cup, where the Bacolod-based side was crowned the ASEAN Zone champions after a 2-0 win over Singapore’s Home United in front of a jampacked crowd at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod.
Bringing the best out of Stephan Schrock, OJ Porteria, Manny Ott and Spanish striker Bienve Marañon, the already talented Busmen crew played like a well-oiled machine in the four years that Vidakovic steered the club.
The 51-year old Vidakovic left after Ceres-Negros transferred its ownership to United City FC last July and informed the rebranded club the following month that he is not going to be a part of UCFC.
Vidakovic was not yet with the Busmen when Ceres-Negros fell short of a berth in the group stage in the continent’s second-tier competition after a 0-1 loss to Maziya in Male on Feb. 17, 2015.
He played several seasons for Real Betis in Spanish La Liga and was a part of the Yugoslavian national team.
