Tirana Unveils New Coaching Staff: Dean Klafurić Takes Charge

KF Tirana has officially unveiled its new technical staff for the 2026/27 season, appointing Croatian coach Dean Klafurić as the club's new head coach. The experienced manager officially signed with the Albanian giants on July 3, 2026.

The 53-year-old from Zagreb holds a UEFA Pro Licence and is widely recognized for his tactical discipline and structured style of play. His preferred formations are 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1, emphasizing defensive organization, possession-based football, and strong teamwork.

An International Coaching Career

Klafurić has built an impressive coaching résumé across several European leagues, managing clubs in Croatia, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, and Cyprus.

His greatest success came with Legia Warsaw in 2018. After initially serving as assistant coach, he took over as head coach and guided the Polish giants to a remarkable domestic double, winning both the Polish Ekstraklasa title and the Polish Cup within just a few months.

He later managed FK Velež Mostar, leading the Bosnian club to a third-place finish in the Premier League, before taking charge of NK Široki Brijeg, whom he guided to the 2025 Bosnian Cup Final.

Earlier in his career, Klafurić served as head coach of the Croatia Women's National Team, worked within the renowned Dinamo Zagreb Academy, and was also an assistant coach at Al-Nassr and Al-Ain.

During his official presentation, Klafurić described Tirana as the most successful club in Albanian football history, emphasizing that he had not come to change the club's identity, but to build a culture based on hard work, passion, discipline, and mutual respect.

Bojan Markoski Appointed Assistant Coach

Joining Klafurić's staff is Bojan Markoski, who has been appointed as Tirana's new assistant coach.

The former North Macedonia international centre-back brings valuable experience from both his playing and coaching careers. He played for clubs including FK Vardar, FK Rad, Enosis Neon Paralimni, and Ethnikos Achna, while also earning two caps for the North Macedonia national team.

Following his retirement in 2020, Markoski immediately transitioned into coaching, managing FK Rabotnički and Enosis Neon Paralimni, while also serving as assistant coach at Ethnikos Achna, AEL Limassol, and FK Rabotnički.

His arrival at Tirana reunites him with Dean Klafurić, with whom he has previously worked successfully.

Albert Rebac to Lead Physical Preparation

The coaching staff is completed by Croatian fitness specialist Albert Rebac, who joins the club as athletic trainer and second assistant coach.

A graduate in sports sciences, Rebac has built his coaching career in Croatian football, working as both a coach and fitness specialist, including a spell with NK Kralj Tomislav.

At Tirana, he will work closely with Ervin Baku, overseeing the team's physical conditioning, injury prevention, recovery, and overall performance optimization throughout the season.

A New Era for Tirana

With the appointment of Dean Klafurić and the addition of an experienced international coaching staff, KF Tirana is aiming to begin a new chapter focused on returning to the top of Albanian football while making a strong impact in European competitions.

The club has invested in a staff with extensive international experience, believing that professionalism, tactical organization, and a strong work ethic will provide the foundation for success in the 2026/27 season.