Bosnian coach Vladimir Sliskovic has stepped down as head coach of Zhenis. The Astana-based club officially announced the 43-year-old’s departure on October 22.
Sliskovic said he was leaving because of personal circumstances.
“Unfortunately, I am forced to leave the team for personal reasons that I need to deal with. I leave with a heavy heart, but I want you to know that I will continue to follow the team and support it,” KazFootball quoted the coach as saying.
Sliskovic’s assistant Omer Joldic and fitness coach Mladen Cuckovic will also leave Zhenis.
The Bosnian took charge of the club on August 7, replacing Ali Aliyev. Under Sliskovic, Zhenis played nine competitive matches, winning four and losing five.
With two rounds remaining in the Kazakhstan Premier League season, Zhenis sit 10th in the table with 32 points from 28 matches. In their final two games under Sliskovic, the Astana side lost 2-1 to Atyrau and 4-2 to Tobol.
Andriy Demchenko is considered one of the leading candidates for the vacant position. Kazakh media previously reported that the Ukrainian coach had arrived in Astana for final talks with Zhenis and that the two sides were close to an agreement.
Demchenko previously coached Zhenis during the second half of the 2025 season. Under him, the team played 17 matches, recording eight wins, six draws and three defeats. He left the club in December 2025 after his contract expired.
Zhenis will next face Ordabasy away on October 24 before ending their season at home to Kaisar on October 31.