In his first season as head coach in Italy, Kovac made an immediate breakthrough by taking the A2 title with Perugia. “This is an unbelievable satisfaction – he said – Congratulations to the boys, they never gave up. This is an amazing group of true champions, they made sacrifices, they never backed down and they always believed in their coach. Next year? My intention would be to coach Perugia in the A1… I dedicate this promotion to my family”.