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Ruben Zadkovich

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Ruben Zadkovich
Zadkovich playing for Newcastle Jets in 2010
Personal information
Full name Ruben Anton Zadkovich[1]
Date of birth (1986-05-23) 23 May 1986 (age 38)[1]
Place of birth Fairfield, Australia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Youth career
0000–2004 Wollongong Wolves
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Queens Park Rangers 0 (0)
2005 Notts County 9 (1)
2006–2008 Sydney FC 41 (2)
2008–2010 Derby County 5 (0)
2010–2014 Newcastle Jets 97 (6)
2014–2016 Perth Glory 13 (1)
Total 165 (10)
International career
2005 Australia U20 5 (0)
2006–2008 Australia U23 25 (1)
2008–2013 Australia 3 (0)
Managerial career
2016–2019 Broadmeadow Magic
2020 Hills United
2020–2022 Perth Glory (NPL)
2022–2023 Perth Glory
2024 Brisbane Roar (assistant)
2024 Brisbane Roar (interim)
2024– Brisbane Roar
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ruben Anton Zadkovich (Croatian: Zadković, Croatian pronunciation: [zadkovitɕ]; born 23 May 1986) is an Australian football manager and former player, currently the head coach at Brisbane Roar.[2] He played for six clubs in a career that spanned between England and Australia, notably becoming a crowd favourite at Newcastle Jets FC in the A-League. Zadkovich was also capped for Australia, representing the Socceroos on three occasions.

Club career

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Born in Fairfield, Sydney, New South Wales,[1] Zadkovich had previously played for English Football League club Notts County, scoring on his debut against Chester City,[3] as well as Queens Park Rangers and Australian side Wollongong Wolves. He has also made several appearances for the Young Socceroos, most notably at the FIFA World Youth Championship.

Sydney FC

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Following his time in England, Zadkovich returned to Australia in late 2005 and trialled for Sydney FC. He travelled with the squad to the FIFA Club World Championship and despite not making an appearance he impressed coach Littbarski, being called in as a short-term replacement for injured Ufuk Talay late in the season. After a 12-minute debut off the bench against Queensland Roar, Zadkovich impressed with his first start against Perth Glory (which included a goal), playing one game in Sydney's run to the inaugural A-League championship, earning him a two-year full-time contract. He was allowed to leave the club in March 2008.

Derby County

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On 17 April 2008, it was revealed Zadkovich had signed a two-year deal with English club Derby County, although his registration was unable to be completed before 1 July.[4] Zadkovich made his Derby debut as a second-half substitute against Norwich City at Pride Park in October 2008, in a match which Derby won 3–1. He struggled with injuries during his time at Derby and, after only 7 appearances for the club, cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 23 January 2010.

Newcastle Jets

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On 6 April 2010, Zadkovich confirmed that he had penned a three-year contract with the Newcastle Jets that would see him return to play his football in Australia.[5] Zadkovich played 97 games over four seasons with the Jets. He was appointed captain in his third season and led the team until he was recruited by Perth Glory in 2014.

Perth Glory

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On 29 May 2014, Zadkovich received an early release from Newcastle Jets and signed with Perth Glory.[6] On 15 November 2014, Zadkovich made his debut for Perth Glory coming on as a substitute against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Glory went on to win the game 2–1. On 22 November 2014, Zadkovich came on as a substitute against Wellington Phoenix in the 61st minute but was sent off after just 17 seconds with a two-footed tackle. On 8 May 2016, after not playing a single match in the season due to injury, Zadkovich retired from playing football.[7]

International career

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Zadkovich made his debut at right-back in the last home game of 1st round 2010 World Cup Qualifications, against China, at ANZ Stadium on 22 June 2008. Australia lost this match 1–0.

Zadkovich took part in the 2008 Olympics as part of Australia's national team (Olyroos). He scored from close range in a 1–1 draw with Serbia, Australia's only goal in an unsuccessful campaign. He also played against Argentina in what was Australia's best performance of the tournament.

Managerial career

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Broadmeadow Magic

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Zadkovich's first foray as a club manager arose when he was announced as the manager for Football Northern New South Wales club Broadmeadow Magic.[8]

Hills United

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Zadkovich was appointed manager of Hills United in September 2020, leaving the role only one month later.[9]

Perth Glory

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Zadkovich was appointed assistant manager of Perth Glory in October 2020.[10] In March 2022, Zadkovich was named interim head coach of the Glory following the departure of Richard Garcia.[11] The 2021–22 season ended with Glory finishing bottom of the A-league table for the first time in their history.

Zadkovich was appointed as permanent Head Coach in May 2022, despite only recording one win in his interim tenure.

During the 2022–23 season, news surfaced that Zadkovich had punched midfielder Giordano Colli during training, with the coach moving quickly to dispel any notion of a rift[12]

Zadkovich departed Perth Glory after his first full season in charge, following a disappointing 9th place finish.[13]

Brisbane Roar

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In January 2024, Brisbane Roar appointed Zadkovich as assistant to Ben Cahn for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.[2] On 1 February 2024 Cahn went on long-term medical leave due to thyroid cancer and throat surgery. The club elected to elevate Zadkovich to the head coach position.[14] He managed the Brisbane Roar team that toured to India and took part in 2024 Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy.[15][16][17][18]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[19][20]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Notts County 2004–05 League Two 8 1 0 0 0 0 – 8 1
2005–06 1 0 0 0 0 0 – 1 0
Total 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Sydney FC 2005–06 A-League 6 1 – 0 0 0 0 6 1
2006–07 19 1 – 0 0 3 0 22 1
2007–08 16 0 – 2 1 0 0 18 1
Total 41 2 0 0 2 1 3 0 46 3
Derby County 2008–09 Championship 5 0 0 0 2 0 – 7 0
2009–10 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Total 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 7 0
Newcastle Jets 2010–11 A-League 21 2 – – 0 0 21 2
2011–12 23 1 – – 0 0 23 1
2012–13 26 3 – – 0 0 26 3
2013–14 27 0 – – 0 0 27 0
Total 97 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 97 6
Perth Glory 2014–15 A-League 13 1 2 0 – 0 0 15 1
2015–16 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 0 0
Total 13 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
Career total 165 10 2 0 4 1 3 0 174 11

Managerial statistics

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As of 6 December 2024[21]
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Perth Glory Australia March 2022 May 2023 37 8 10 19 021.62
Brisbane Roar FC Australia February 2024 19 3 5 11 015.79
Total 56 11 15 30 019.64

Honours

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Player

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Sydney FC

Australia U20

Manager

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Broadmeadow Magic

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 450. ISBN 9781845964740.
  2. ^ a b "Ruben Zadkovich appointed Brisbane Roar A-League Men Assistant Coach". Brisbane Roar. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Chester 3–2 Notts County". BBC. 19 March 2005. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Derby complete Zadkovich signing". BBC. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  5. ^ "Zadkovich arrives in Newcastle". Newcastle United Jets FC. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ "ZADKOVICH FLIES WEST". Football Federation Australia. 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Zadkovich calls it a day". FourFourTwo. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  8. ^ Kerry, Craig (1 August 2016). "Ruben Zadkovich announced as new Broadmeadow coach". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  9. ^ Stavroulakis, Mark (10 September 2020). "Hills United appoint Ruben Zadkovich as head senior coach". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  10. ^ Gareth Morgan (14 October 2020). "Key football department appointments confirmed". Perth Glory. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  11. ^ Jackson, Ed (24 March 2022). "I'm ready for ALM coaching shot: Zadkovich". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  12. ^ "PFA investigating claims an A-League coach punched a player at a training session". Fox Sports. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Perth Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich resigns after one season in charge". ABC News (Australia). 2 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Brisbane Roar Men's Head Coach, Ben Cahn,Takes Medical Leave". February 2024.
  15. ^ matthewcomito (19 August 2024). "Roar on tour! Brisbane head to India for pre-season tournament". A-Leagues. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  16. ^ thibaultberthier (19 August 2024). "Brisbane Roar Head to India for Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy". Brisbane Roar. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Match Wrap: Dempo SC 1–5 Brisbane Roar". brisbaneroar.com.au. 24 August 2024. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  18. ^ Lopes, Flavio (24 August 2024). "10-Man Brisbane Roar Prove Too Strong For Dempo". The Times of India. Margao. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Ruben Zadkovich". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Ruben Zadkovich". ALeagueStats.com. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Ruben Zadkovich". ALeagueStats. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
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