Who Is Vahid Halilhodzic?

Last updated : 25 June 2009 By Jim Bonner
Vahid Halilhodzic - a name unfamiliar with the vast majority of Pompey fans until recently when it was heavily rumoured that he would become the next Pompey manager.

The Bosnian has already had a fairly successful managerial career having started at FK Velez Mostar before moving to AS Beauvais for a year. After a break he took charge of Moroccan side Raja Casablanca for a season, winning the Moroccan league.

It was in France where Halilhodzic made his name. He became Lille manager in 1998 and within four years he took them from Ligue 2 to the Champions League. This prompted Rennes to approach him and he saved them from relegation in the 02/03 season but soon after he left for Paris Saint-Germain.

His first season at the capital club was a great one as his team finished 2nd and won the French cup. However, after a relatively poor second season when the club finished 9th he was sacked because of the fans' displeasure.

Vahid went to coach Turkish side Trabzonspor for the 05/06 season, leading them to a 4th place finish behind the regular Turkish "big three" but he left for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad where he played his part in the team winning the 06/07 league.

In 2008 he took charge of the Ivory Coast national team where he still remains to this day. However, it is reported that he is going to stand down from his role to come to the Premier League and manage Portsmouth.

Peter Storrie has rubbished the claims that talks have been held with Halilhodzic despite the Bosnian claiming himself that he was in talks with the Portsmouth board about the soon-to-be-vacant manager's job. So who is telling the truth?

Needless to say, the Pompey fans aren't too excited about the prospect of Halilhodzic taking charge and are well aware of the last manager to come to Fratton Park with a good record in France.

But the decision isn't ours to make and so who knows? Maybe Portsmouth fans will get to know Vahid Halilhodzic a lot more in the next couple of weeks when the takeover should be complete.