JERUSALEM, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Conference League club Maccabi Tel Aviv have appointed Mladen Krstajic as head coach, the club announced on Thursday.
The 47-year-old Serb, who coached his country's national team in 2018-2019, will replace Dutchman Patrick Van Leeuwen following disappointing results in the Israeli league.
Krstajic was appointed head coach of the Serbian team in January 2018, ahead of the FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia, in which the Serbs defeated Costa Rica but lost to Brazil and Switzerland.
He was dismissed in June 2019, after a humiliating 5-0 away loss against Ukraine in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.
In January this year Krstajic was appointed coach of the Serbian club TSC Backa Topola but left in October due to poor results.
As a player, Krstajic was a defender, with a total of 243 Bundesliga appearances between 2000 and 2009 at Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen.
He also played for Serbian clubs Partizan Belgrade, OFK Kikinda and FK Senta.
"Mladen possesses the qualities we value at Maccabi, which are work ethic, professionalism and ambition to win," said Maccabi owner, Mitch Goldhar.
"These character traits propelled Mladen to the highest level in Europe and will benefit the club in the pursuit of our goals," he added.
Krstajic said: "I am humbled to join the most successful club in Israel, a club with a rich history and tradition." Enditem
