Quiet man Zajec ready for Pompey

Exclusive by John Sinnott

Zajec and Jordan have led Pompey to 12th in the Premiership

Portsmouth coach Joe Jordan believes new boss Velimir Zajec's understated approach to management has quickly won the respect of the club's players.

Jordan told BBC Sport: "He is quiet on the training ground, but direct.

"He will indicate what he wants and will demonstrate it in such a way that the players are quite clear of what they are being asked of them.

"You can only go on performances and results, but our performances give an indication of where we are going."

Zajec, 47, a former player with Panathinaikos, won 57 caps for Yugoslavia and, as captain, led them in the 1982 World Cup and 1984 European championship.

The Croat also worked for Dinamo Zagreb where he brought Davor Suker to the club, before the striker moved to Spain.

The response the players have given us indicates things are OK here Joe Jordan Zajec named Portsmouth boss

As well as playing for Panathinaikos and Dinamo, Zajec worked as technical director for both clubs.

Despite Zajec's unfamiliarity with English football, Jordan insisted the Croat had had few problems in adapting to life in the Premiership.

"He has been here for a little while now and he certainly knows the most important thing - the players at his disposal."

The new Portsmouth manager is also happiest away from the glare of the media, according to Jordan.

"He speaks good English, but in respect of the media, he's not one for putting himself in front of the camera - he just wants to get on and do his work.

"He is positive in what he wants and he's very knowledgeable.

"He has made things clear from the outset as to how we wants Portsmouth to play against whatever opposition we face.

"We're pretty clear and the players have been very receptive.

"There have been games when we've gone behind, but to the players' credit they've dug in.

ZAJEC'S COACHING CAREER 1989-91 Appointed director of football at Dinamo Zagreb 1992 Takes over as director of football at Panathinaikos 2000 Returns to Zagreb as general manager 2002 Goes back to Panathinaikos as director of football Nov 2004 Becomes director of football at Portsmouth Dec 2004 Appointed manager at Portsmouth

"Information is given to them, but ultimately it's down to the players and the response they've given us indicates things are OK here.

"In some of the games things have been tight going into the last 15 minutes, yet they've dug deep and they've pulled games round."

Prior to Harry Redknapp's resignation, Zajec had been appointed by chairman Milan Mandaric as an executive director to overhaul the structure of Portsmouth's football operation.

And Jordan admitted that part of Zajec's brief would have to be put to one side as Portsmouth's new management team looked to keep the club in the Premiership.

"Velimir has been sidetracked a bit really," said Jordan.

"The job he was brought here to do he hasn't really started.

"He has had to concentrate on overseeing the first team along with myself, which is the most important part of the club as the team must get results.

"The chairman has asked him to help out there and we've got on with that responsibility and we'll do that as long as the chairman sees fit.

"Eventually Velimir will have to decide whether he wants to continue in this capacity or got back to the original job he was brought here to do."