Following Zambia coach Aljosa Asanovic’s resignation, it has since emerged how much the Croatian was earning.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is digging in for what looks like a messy divorce with the former Chipolopolo mentor.
FAZ hit back on Sunday following Asanovic’s resignation, who has also decided to take Football House to FIFA over unpaid dues.
“We welcome Mr Asanovic’s desire to report the matter to FIFA as we equally want finality on the matter, especially in the claim for remuneration for the period one is absent from work,” FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said.
THE MONTHLY SALARY
Asanovic, through his legal advisor Davor Radic, claims FAZ owes him pay from May, June and July.
FAZ’s version of events is that Asanovic went AWOL after wrapping up Chipolopolo’s unsuccessful 2023 CHAN qualifiers against Mozambique on July 30.
Asanovic stayed put in Croatia as Chipolopolo prepared for September’s two away friendlies against Mali on September 23 and 26 in Bamako.
His lawyer wrote: “In article 7.1 of the contract of employment signed on 17 January 2022, you agreed with the coach Aljosa Asanovic, as follows: The employee’s remuneration shall be a fixed monthly salary at the rate of US$25,000 net of taxes on the last day of every month.”
Meanwhile, Kashala also confirmed FAZ had also officially parted ways with Asanovic.
“Following weeks of fruitless efforts to get the coach to return to his workstation and resolve contractual matters, we have been notified by Mr Aljosa Asanovic through his lawyers that he has quit his position as Zambia National Team Head Coach,” Kashala said.
HOW HE FARED
Asanovic has been Zambia’s coach since mid-January 2022, winning five, losing four and drawing one of his ten official games in charge.
The highlight of his short reign as Chipolopolo coach came in July when he steered Zambia to a record-equaling sixth COSAFA Cup title to go level with Zimbabwe.
Chipolopolo beat Namibia 1-0 in the final on July 17 at the COSAFA Cup tournament held in Durban.
Asanovic also leaves Chipolopolo second in Group H of their 2023 AFCON qualifiers on 3 points from two games played.
Cote d’Ivoire leads Group H on 4 points, Lesotho is third on 3 points, and Comoros is at the bottom with 1 point.
Meanwhile, Chipolopolo’s local assistant coach Moses Sichone is currently in interim charge of the Zambia national team away in Mali, where they lost 1-0 last Friday, the first friendly match.
