Feature: Rajevac: 'Man of few words; many deeds'

Published on: 16 September 2010

Ghanasoccernet columnist Nii Ayitey Tetteh assesses departed Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac's legacy in two years and describes him as "a man of few words; many deeds."

So Nii, tell me, what is Milo’s legacy? Sika enquired with mischief written all over her face. I recognized this inquest for what it was.

A poor attempt to engage me in another battle of wits like she so ever does ‘Am not falling for it sweetie, try something else’ No Nii, you got it wrong; you know on my way here, I chanced upon a radio discussion on Milovan Rajevac’s loutish decision not to renew his contract as Black Stars’ coach.

The more I listened, the more infuriated I became. I know Milovan Rajevac a.k.a Milo was a decent coach, but the panelists were making him out like a super duper coach. That is why I want your opinion on Milo, who played 38 matches, won 15, drew 11 and lost as many as 12. Just your opinion, that’s all, do you have to read motives into everything? Just indulge me okay. Sika persisted.

My opinion huh! How interesting that in between the radio program and the few minutes you have been here, you have been able to gather such accurate data. Indeed, between you and Milo, who had repeatedly assured Ghanaians of his commitment to the national team, I don’t know who is more cunning. Oh Nii! Be nice, you almost sound like one of the panelists on the program. Whining like a lover who’s been jilted.

Helloooo! Wake up and smell the coffee! The world of business has no room for cry babies. Milo saw an opportunity and grabbed it with his hands and feet at the same time’

Sika, can we just have a nice hot meal without the banter? ‘Okay, let’s order’ Sika conceded as she signaled the waiter. While we waited for dinner, I found myself surprisingly switching back to Milo. ‘Well, Sika, if it makes you happy, I don’t think Milo is a traitor like those radio panelists, but you simply cannot shake off the feeling that these expatriate coaches use African countries as mere springboards. The pattern is all too familiar. It’s very dicey because I believe there was more to Milo than unfulfilled promises.

FEW WORDS, MANY DEEDS

Milo was a quiet character, a disciplinary and stickler for rules and effective organization.

Important values he exported to the Black Stars through his fellow countryman and interpreter Nenad Glisic.

That said; let me put those statistics you provided earlier into the proper perspective. Statistics don’t lie, yes, but without the right interpretation, they can be deceptive.

It is true Milo won only 39.47% of matches the Black Stars played under his tenure but, it is also true Milo generally performed better in competitive matches when the stakes were higher.

Milo played 14 friendly matches, winning 3, losing 6 and drawing 5.

He played 24 competitive matches (including CHAN 2009), winning 12, losing 6 and drawing 6.

I put emphasis on competitive matches because you see, generally more weight is attached to competitive matches. Nobody remembers friendly matches but everybody remembers a world cup quarter final appearance.

Sika quickly interjected! But Nii, scoring 44 goals and conceding 42 is not quite complimentary. It clearly shows the Black Stars struggled under Milo. Ah! I guess that is why fans coined the term ‘one goal project’ when the team eked out successive 1-0 score-lines to reach the 2010 Africa Nations Cup final where the Stars lost 1-0 to Egypt.

Sorry for the interruption Nii, go on, Sika apologized.

I remember that game too with a lot of pain, it was Ghana’s first final since 1992. That day, the Stars played well but lost which further fuelled Milo’s conviction that with Ghana’s apparent lack of firepower upfront, it did not make sense to open up and become vulnerable like it happened against Egypt.

‘But Angola was not all disappointment’ Sika interjected for the umpteenth time; did it not mark the coming of age of Andre Ayew and his U-20 World Cup winning colleagues?

Well Sika, there’s also another school of the opinion that it was not Milo’s deliberate policy to infuse eight members of the U-20 team and that his hand was forced due to injuries to 5 key players; Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, John Piantsil and Laryea Kingston.

I agree in part with this school. The injuries contributed to his decision but what about his axing of the Italian Don, Sulley Muntari, from the team.

Muntari blatantly refused to apologise for deliberately skipping a friendly match with Angola in November 2009 without permission. This was after his partners in crime Essien and Gyan had apologised. Indeed, it was one action that won Milo a great deal of respect.

With that singular action, Milo sent a clear message to all the Black Stars players; nobody was invincible.

Nii, I have heard in certain quarters that the whole deal about Milo being a superb organizer and imbibing tactical discipline into the Stars game really doesn’t fly.

They point to the just ended 2010 World Cup as an example where Milo simply got the luck of the draw.

Had Ghana been in Ivory Coast’s group, the Black Stars would be singing a different song by now. I have also heard that Milo does not read the game well and makes substitutions very late in the game, Sika noted.

I nodded in agreement though I still believe Milo deserves some credit. For a coach who came in with no pedigree in international football circles except qualifying two unheralded Serbian clubs, FC Vojvodina and FK Borak to the UEFA Cup, he held his own rather commendably.

MILO TURNS SOUR

Milo’s legacy is twofold; on and off the field. On the field he will be remembered for qualifying the Black Stars for the World Cup after just 4 matches without conceding a goal. Those victories included 2-0 wins on the road in Mali and Sudan.

He also reached two continental finals (CHAN 2009 and CAN 2010) as well as a World Cup quarter final place. He will be remembered for introducing the highly defensive 4-2-3-1 formation with strong emphasis on youth.

The formation was ugly in execution but produced results nonetheless. Off the field, his ability to strip the aura of invincibility surrounding certain key players would inspire many that would come after him.

But all that turned sour when Milo signed for Saudi Arabian club, Al Ahli Jeddah. ‘Why do you suppose he changed his mind especially when the Ahli job is less glamorous and definitely a step down in terms of sporting benefits?  Sika enquired and waited while I formed a hypothesis.

Well, the man is 56, he decided it was wise to cash in and walk when the applause was loudest! Hmmm! Sighed Sika, I think he did alright but unfortunately his last stunt is what most will remember him by.

Milo, a simple ‘dovidjenja’ would have sufficed. Thank God we agree on that one, I remarked’. But Nii, I have one more question for you. No Sika, that’s the tip for the waiter, see you in the car.

Picking up her unusually big bag, Sika called after me, Nii! wait,  Nii! What is 4-2-3-1……....? Niiiiiiiiiiii!

Nii Ayitey Tetteh

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