In 1999 the 6ft 4in defender became the first Bosnian to play in the Premiership when Gordon Strachan paid Monaco £2million for his signature. The club’s doctor described him as the fittest player he had ever examined but a wrangle over work permits delayed his debut. His first appearance came as a substitute in a 0-0 draw at Tottenham. He quickly made his mark with a thunderous tackle that introduced Stefan Iversen to an advertising hoarding and had Gordon Strachan saying: ‘I wouldn’t like to clean out his cage’.
The excellent form of Williams and Richard Shaw meant ‘Big Mo’ had few chances during his first eighteen months at the club and a succession of niggling injuries earned him a reputation as a bit of a hypocondriac. In his first three seasons he started only 14 league games and it wasn’t until the departure of Strachan in September 2001 that he won a regular place in the team.
In the next three seasons Big Mo made 136 appearances, and scoring five goals along the way. During this period he became a fans favourite and was renowned both for his fully committed style of play and also his willingness to bring the ball forward if the midfield and attack were not having any impact.
For any opposing forward, the very sight of Konjic, with muscle seeming to have grown on muscle and that endearing, disarming smile, signalled that you are in for a torrid 90 minutes. Only the foolhardy or extremely brave were ready to challenge him physically and anyone thinking that a man so huge must also be slow and clumsy was guilty of a massive mistake.
The fans’ love affair with him extended to his own song which was sung with more gusto than any other song barring the Sky Blue Song.
He was sold at the end of the 2003/04 season to Derby by new manager Peter Reid. In the 2004/05 season he made 18 appearances in George Burley's Derby side which reached the Championship Play-offs. He returned to Highfield Road with the Rams to play in the final game at the old stadium and got a tumultous reception. It was all too much for the popular Bosnian and he had a stinker, giving away a penalty as well as being given the run around by Dele Adebola in the 6-2 City victory.
Mo was the captain in the first match played by Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995 and went on to win 39 caps for his country. Since retiring in 2006 he spends a lot of his time in his home country but has returned to Coventry to take part in the Legends Day and received a tumultous reception.
Own goals (1)
2001-02
12 December 2001 v West Bromwich Albion A, First Division





