VOJAKOVAC (Croatia): Tihana Nemcic wants to be treated just like any other head coach.    

The 24-year-old Nemcic, a former Croatia women’s international and part-time model, just happens to be getting more attention than usual. That’s because she has taken over as coach of a Croatian men’s football team — fifth division side NK Viktorija Vojakovac.

Nemcic, a former club player in Croatia, graduated in July from the country’s Sporting University. Since taking over at NK Viktorija Vojakovac, she has asserted herself as the one in charge — not the centre of a media stunt.

“I am the head coach and I have full liberty to create and plan the team’s tactics,” Nemcic said. “If a woman and a man have the same professional qualifications for a coaching job, I see no reason why I should not get into male football.”—AP