Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb starts negotiations with Branko Ivankovic

Reuters - Croatian soccer champions and league leaders Dinamo Zagreb have parted ways with coach Josip Kuze, state news agency Hina reported on Monday.

Kuze took over Dinamo in 2005 after a disappointing season when the club finished seventh in the 12-team league. He won the title last season but then failed to clinch a berth in the Champions League.

Croatian media started speculating that Kuze would have to leave after Dinamo lost to French side Auxerre in September, failing once again to qualify for the UEFA Cup group stage.

Former national coach Zlatko Kranjcar and former Iran manager Branko Ivankovic have been touted as candidates for the job by the media. Both stepped down after the World Cup in Germany.

Dinamo top the national championship with 32 points from 13 matches, the same as rivals Hajduk Split.