Brdariq gives his version of his departure from Malisheva

Despite a successful start with five wins in seven league matches, Thomas Brdariq left top-flight Kosovo football club Malisheva just a few months after taking charge of the club. He accepted a new challenge in the second tier of football in Saudi Arabia, with Al Bukiryah. The former German Bundesliga footballer, who also appeared in the 2002 Champions League final with Bayer Leverkusen against Real Madrid, gave his version of his departure from Malisheva on Saturday.

“In the end, nothing was right. There were repeated requests that were not met. I had to make a decision for myself and, above all, for my family,” Brdariq explained. 

The next step was not easy for him. 

“Of course, it was very difficult for me. I am a professional coach and things were going well on the pitch. I felt extremely sorry for the team, especially because we had worked really well together.” 

Brdariq was at Drenica and secured survival with the “Red and Blacks”. He left in the summer and agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent. FIFA then ordered his former club to pay him everything he was owed. 

The 51-year-old took charge of Malisheva in mid-July. He led Malisheva to the second qualifying round of the Conference League, eliminating Vllaznia of Shkodër, which he had previously coached. In the first leg at home in the second qualifying round of the competition, they won 2:0 against Hibernian. But they were beaten 4:1 in Scotland and eliminated. He averaged 2 points per match with Malisheva. 

Brdariq, whose playing career included Bayer Leverkusen, Hannover and Wolfsburg, now aims to achieve success in his new role in Saudi Arabia as well. 

“For me, moving to Saudi Arabia was the right decision, because the league is good and has potential. The infrastructure and the clubs are stable and professional,” Brdariq said. 

The club the German-Croatian coach leads in the second tier is not in the best possible form. After seven matches, it is in last place with two points. But Brdariq has experience with clubs fighting to stay in the league and facing difficult situations. 

“I will approach this task with optimism and enthusiasm, together with my coaching staff,” Brdariq emphasized.