Glen Daja officially named Elbasani coach: I couldn’t turn down my father’s first club, I’m aiming for three points in Durrës

Elbasani have made official the appointment of Glen Daja as the team’s new coach, announcing it on social media at midday Wednesday. Daja replaces Ivan Gvozdenovic, who resigned a few days ago after a defeat against Skënderbeu. Until now, the new coach had worked as an assistant on Dinamo’s staff.

“Elbasani is a very big club”

In his first remarks as coach of the yellow-and-blues, Daja thanked the club’s president and director for their trust and said the offer came at a moment when he felt ready. According to him, Elbasani is too big a club to turn down, and the club also holds a special place for his family, as it was the first team of his father, Ilir Daja. He also recalled the 2006 celebrations, when he was still young.

Daja revealed that he had received other offers, in Albania and abroad, but turned them down because of the quality of the teams or bad timing. As for his father’s advice, he said Ilir Daja let him decide for himself, even though he would have liked them to keep working together. On a possible meeting as opposing coaches, Glen Daja said both are professionals and the better one should win.

First test against the leaders

The new coach acknowledged there is pressure and responsibility, as the team is not in good form. He said he has watched all of Elbasani’s matches this season and believes the team has played well but lost at key moments. According to him, the group has quality and he can get the most out of it.

His debut will be a tough one: on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Elbasani travel to the Niko Dovana stadium to face Teuta. Daja described the Durrës side as deserving leaders with a strong squad, but said his focus is on his own team and the objective is three points.