Thomas Brdaric has taken over as coach of Malisheva's Saudi second-division rival Al-Bukiryah FC with immediate effect. He leaves after a strong spell in Kosovo, where Malisheva collected 16 points in their first seven league matches and went into the international break in second place. Al-Bukiryah had taken only two points from their first six league matches before his arrival.
Malisheva's strong run
Brdaric's time at Malisheva gave him a clear platform. Sixteen points from seven league matches is a strong start by any measure, and second place at the international break showed how well the side had begun under him.
The move is a sharp change in immediate league form. He leaves a team pushing near the top and walks into one that had picked up only two points from six. That is a far harder starting point in Saudi Arabia, and it leaves far less room for a slow opening.
The scale of the Al-Bukiryah job
Al-Bukiryah confirmed the appointment on Instagram, and SPORT1 reported that the club brought him in with immediate effect. The reporting also frames it as another chapter in Brdaric's eventful coaching career, which now spans eight countries.
He has previously coached in Albania, India, Kuwait and Kosovo, and also worked as a sporting director in Belarus and Uzbekistan. His playing career included eight international matches for Germany and one goal.
The main point, though, is the one he inherits now. Al-Bukiryah's start has been poor enough to make the appointment a major early test, while Malisheva's start under Brdaric looked stable and productive. The contrast between the two jobs is plain, and it is why this move stands out.
Brdaric now has to get Al-Bukiryah moving after a six-match opening in which they managed only two points.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
