Leading South African football club Kaizer Chiefs named little-known Serb Vladimir Vermezovic as coach on Monday.
A terse Chiefs statement said the club had discussed the position vacated by Turk Muhsin Ertugral last week with several coaches, and appointed Vermezovic, but gave no contract details.
The selection of a foreigner was expected after club chairperson and former national star Kaizer Motaung said only two South African coaches were capable of fulfilling the role, and neither was available.
Vermezovic has coached Spartak Trnava of Slovakia and Partizan of Serbia after a playing career involving clubs in his homeland, Spain, Greece and Germany.
He faces a huge task in South Africa as the most popular club in the country have underachieved for several years, finishing third behind SuperSport United and arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the 2008/09 Premiership.
Finishing third entitles Chiefs to play next year in the African Confederation Cup, a competition for national cup winners and selected third-placed league teams that South African sides have shown little interest in. — Sapa-AFP