Bosnian football agent Amil Šukalo has spoken to Eurasia Football about the appointment of Vladimir Slišković as head coach of Astana-based Zhenis.
According to Šukalo, the arrival of the 43-year-old coach could prove important for both the club and Kazakh football as a whole.
“I believe Kazakh football has a lot to gain from this appointment, not only the club itself. First of all, I have to mention his father, Blaž Slišković, who was one of the best footballers in the former Yugoslavia and later became one of the most successful coaches in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Šukalo told Eurasia Football.
Šukalo stressed that Vladimir Slišković has built his own coaching career on his own merits.
“Vladimir is an extremely promising Bosnian coach who has built his reputation through his own work and results. I would particularly highlight his experience in Russia, where he was part of the coaching staff at Spartak Moscow before later taking charge of Orenburg as head coach.”
Slišković joined Spartak in the summer of 2022 as part of Guillermo Abascal’s coaching staff. After the Spaniard was dismissed in April 2024, the Bosnian was placed in charge of the Red and Whites on an interim basis and led the team through the final part of the season.
He left Spartak after the campaign, with the club later explaining that Slišković wanted to continue his career specifically as a head coach.
In October 2024, he was appointed head coach of Orenburg. He stayed in charge into the 2025/26 campaign before leaving the club in October 2025.
Šukalo also highlighted the footballing principles of Zhenis’ new head coach.
“He believes in modern football. His teams are tactically well organised, disciplined and aggressive in the pressing phase. He also pays great attention to player development and to details in his daily work,” the agent said.
In his view, much will depend on how much time Slišković is given to implement his ideas in Kazakhstan.
“His appointment at Zhenis is a very interesting move for the club. If he is given enough time and support from the management, I believe he can help Zhenis become a more competitive team and achieve more consistent results.”
Šukalo also pointed to one of the realities of coaching in Central Asia.
“On the other hand, clubs in Central Asia are not particularly known for being patient when it comes to coaches. That is why it will also be very interesting for me to follow his work and development at his new club.”
He added that the move to Kazakhstan represents a fresh challenge for Slišković.
“I believe this is a new challenge for him and a good opportunity to demonstrate his coaching qualities and take another step forward in his career,” Šukalo concluded.
Zhenis are one of Kazakhstan’s historic clubs, having won the national championship three times — in 2000, 2001 and 2006 — as well as three Kazakhstan Cups. In the current 2026 season, the Astana side sit ninth in the Premier League with 22 points from 19 matches. The club parted ways with head coach Ali Aliyev in early August before appointing Vladimir Slišković as his replacement.