EUROPE Slaven Bilic - West Ham United (ENG) Igor Tudor - PAOK (GRE) Nenad Bjelica - Spezia (ITA) Robert Prosinecki - Azerbaijan National Team Robert Jarni - Puskas Akademia (HUN) Igor Jovicevic - Karpaty Lviv (UKR) Ivan Juric - Crotone (ITA)
The most high profile manager is of course Bilic, the first Croatian to manage full time in the English Premier League after Zajec had a short interim spell at Portsmouth. Tudor gets a big opportunity at PAOK, a top 3 club in Greece with Euro pedigree. Bjelica seems to be another promising coach, having led Austria Wien in the Champions League and doing well at Spezia. Prosinecki is the only Croatian manager at NT level with Azerbaijan, so far unbeaten in official matches
The most successful by far is Zlatko Dalic who is making a name for himself in the Middle East. He has some success in the Asian CL as well leading Al-Ain to the semis one season. Kranjcar and Ivankovic with some success in Asia as well and probably at a point in their career where they are happy to stay there. Former Dinamo manager, Marijo Tot, has just been appointed a manager in China
Anybody else? There are probably some in lesser known leagues...
Igor Stimac has been linked with a move to Iran after being relegated with Zadar. There was a Croatian manager in the 2.BL named Tomislav Stipic but he was sacked after Aue was relegated
EUROPE Slaven Bilic - West Ham United (ENG) Igor Tudor - PAOK (GRE) Nenad Bjelica - Spezia (ITA) Robert Prosinecki - Azerbaijan National Team Robert Jarni - Puskas Akademia (HUN) Igor Jovicevic - Karpaty Lviv (UKR) Ivan Juric - Crotone (ITA)
The most high profile manager is of course Bilic, the first Croatian to manage full time in the English Premier League after Zajec had a short interim spell at Portsmouth. Tudor gets a big opportunity at PAOK, a top 3 club in Greece with Euro pedigree. Bjelica seems to be another promising coach, having led Austria Wien in the Champions League and doing well at Spezia. Prosinecki is the only Croatian manager at NT level with Azerbaijan, so far unbeaten in official matches
The most successful by far is Zlatko Dalic who is making a name for himself in the Middle East. He has some success in the Asian CL as well leading Al-Ain to the semis one season. Kranjcar and Ivankovic with some success in Asia as well and probably at a point in their career where they are happy to stay there. Former Dinamo manager, Marijo Tot, has just been appointed a manager in China
Anybody else? There are probably some in lesser known leagues...
Igor Stimac has been linked with a move to Iran after being relegated with Zadar. There was a Croatian manager in the 2.BL named Tomislav Stipic but he was sacked after Aue was relegated
Seriously though, well done nezo for working with kids to improve their skills.
Unlike a lot of Europeans, I would like to see more Americans (and not freeloaders like Gerrard) break through. Progress has been made but it's inevitably slow.
The States produces a decent flow of keepers but my theory is that this is essentially due to the three main US sports involving hand to ball contact.
Brad Friedel, who retired last month, was a seriously excellent keeper IMO as well as being a top, top professional. If he wants to, he'll get a top coaching job easily.
Tim Howard has his "moments" but is also damn good (see last year's WC).
Outfield is more complicated but Dempsey has had a good carrer and my personal favourite was McBride, a highly underrated player (by the English).
Totally off topic... my son got his referees license and that is his summer job. 30 bucks a game as head ref and 20 for linesman... it's a nice gig for 15 year old.
