Rajevac named among world best coaches

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has been named among the best eleven national team coaches worldwide after his sterling performances with the Black Stars.

A report published by ESPN shows that Ghana’s Serbian trainer edged past famous football coaches like Raymond Domenech and Diego Maradona to take his place among the best managers in the world.

Rajevac was named to rub shoulders with England coach Fabio Capello, Italy coach Marcello Lippi and Brazil boss Dunga and Molten Olsen.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque, Joachim Löw of Germany, Switzerland trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld as well as Otto Rehhagel of Greece, Serbia's Raddy Antic and Marcelo Bielsa of Chile were also named.

The naming of Rajevac among the best manager is a huge boost for his career after he turned around the fortunes of the Black Stars.

Under Rajevac, an injury-plagued Black Stars side reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with many youngsters he called excelling as they finished second in the continental tournament.

“There was widespread derision when Rajevac was appointed in 2008, but he asked to be judged on results and there's no arguing on that front,” the report said. “Ghana grew better and better in World Cup qualification and, despite being without Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, John Mensah and John Paintsil during this year's African Nations Cup, they still reached the final and were only outclassed in their group match against Ivory Coast.

“Rajevac has created a resolute side, strong in the midfield and difficult to break down.”

The Serbian manager ensured that Ghana is the first Africa country to qualify for the World Cup without conceding a goal.

He also guided an underrated Ghana team to reach the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Ivory Coast last year.

The Black Stars were previously noted for leaking goals badly but Rajevac has injected some much needed discipline into the side, making it a more rounded side.

Several youngsters who were not given much opportunity under previous managers have blossomed under the guidance of the Serbian boss.

Kwadwo Asamoah, Isaac Vorsah, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Emmanuel Ageymang Badu,Opoku Agyemang and Rahim Ayew have all become firm contenders for national team places even though they were largely neglected in the past.