Zahovic had a bust-up with Katanec (Allsport)

By PA Sport Staff

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Another outburst by Zlatan Zahovic has cost Slovenia their national coach - and left no doubt that he is one of European football's most petulant players.

The 31-year-old forward is renowned for his petulance, having left Greece before the 2000-1 campaign after criticising his Olympiakos coach and the standard of the football.

He later burned bridges at Valencia after just one season and left the Mestalla Stadium last summer for Benfica.

Now, Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec appears to have drawn his wrath for removing him in the second half of their World Cup defeat against Spain.

Zahovic is believed to have said in the dressing room after Sunday's match against Spain: "I can buy all of you, I can buy the whole association, I can buy Smarna Jore (Katanec's home town).

"I can't stay in a team like this where you (Katanec) will substitute me in a game like this in the World Cup."

Katanec has had enough, announcing on Wednesday that he would quit after the World Cup.

"I'm very disappointed that this situation arose at such a time, during the World Cup," Katanec said.

"I'm sorry to have to say this but everything that happened in the dressing room was out of normal human sense.

"I unfortunately have to confirm that the World Cup will be my last act as coach of Slovenia. I will resign after the tournament."

An unrepentant Zahovic said: "Whoever digs the hole often falls into it themselves."

After Zahovic's comments there were reports that the Benfica star may be sent home from the tournament.

But Slovenian football association president Rudi Zavrl said: "Until now, there has been no official news from the association side about the incident which happened.

"The conflict between our head coach [Katanec] and player Zahovic surely exceeds the tolerance limits.

"But, after talking to all the players, the captain, Zahovic, coaching staff and head coach Katanec, we have reached an agreement that Zahovic stays in the national team although it is clear that this decision doesn't minimize the gravity of the incident."