Fans: 97% Want Stimac Out, Stimac: I’m Going Nowhere

Croatia’s under-fire football coach Igor Stimac has told Nova TV in an interview on Saturday night that nobody will force him to resign from his position, and that he has no idea what the fuss is about as Croatia is still on track to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Earlier in the day Croatia’s top-selling daily newspaper 24sata ran a poll asking if Stimac should resign, with an overwhelming 97% saying they want the former TV pundit out. Stimac, however, was unfazed by the unanimous call for him to go.

“Believe me, I have no pressure at all on me. I was part of those who created the Croatian FA (and made them what they are today) and at worst I have reason to be calm and see out my mandate. Nobody will demand my resignation, especially at the time when we have guaranteed a play-off where we have two matches and the possibility of going on,” said Stimac.

Friday night’s loss to Belgium was the second in a row at Maksimir Stadium, which was once a fortress for Croatia, and more than 200 days since Croatia last won an official match. Stimac though, does not agree with pundits that his side are currently in a crisis.

“We have different thoughts when it comes to most of the game (v Belgium). Statistics confirm what I say, Croatia had more than 50% possession, and more than double the amount of shots on target. It is a fact that Croatia were brave and were hungry for victory,” Stimac said, who blamed individual errors as the only reason for the loss.