Matjaž Kek appointed head coach of HNK Rijeka

Slovenian manager Matjaž Kek has been officially reinstated as head coach of Croatian club HNK Rijeka, returning after an eight‑year absence. Kek praised the club’s history, recalled a memorial plaque to Dejan Šćulc and the Orlanda Rivetti press centre, and said “the spines went down” when he visited. He pledged to keep the club’s successful course, emphasizing strong fan synergy and a high‑standing ambition flag.

Kek announced his assistant team: former player Duje Čop will shift to a different cabin, while former Lokomotiva coach Mate Maleš joins the staff. The first training session is scheduled for 15 June, after which the squad will travel to Kranjsku Goru for three preparatory friendlies. Club director Darko Raić Sudar welcomed Kek, recalling his previous tenure that delivered a double crown in 2017 and underscored the club’s continued growth and rising stadium attendance.