Branko Milosevic
Encyclopedia
Branko Milosevic is a midfielder
who made several appearances for the Socceroos. Milosevic was known for his extremely fast bursts of speed, vision, goal scoring ability, positioning, work rate, distribution and skill with the ball.
, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, Branko Milosevic played for Olimpija Osijek as a junior and later was picked up by NK Dinamo Zagreb where he played with the likes of Zvonimir Boban
in the Yugoslav First League
. Branko left zagreb shortly after arriving and joined SSV Ulm 1846
in Germany where he had two successful seasons before coming to Australia.
). He was an instant star; he brought so many great qualities to the NSL
and was arguably the best player in Australia. He left Melbourne Knights
in 1991 to move to Sydney
side Sydney Olympic FC
where he was one of the crowds favourite. He had a great first season and Australian coach Eddie Thompson marked him as his player of the year unfortunately he finished runner up in the Johnny Warren
medal as he did a few years back while at Melbourne Knights
. Milosevic left Sydney Olympic FC
in 1995 after Coach David Ratcliffe dropped the Socceroo midfielder out of the squad without a reason. West Adelaide
were quick to offer and brought Milosevic to Adelaide. After a couple of seasons at West Adelaide
Branko was able to change his game style and play as sweeper, despite being in his 30's. He was playing very well and kept the West Adelaide SC defense strong and organised and was then appointed captain in 1997. Milosevic then announced his retirement from the NSL
in 1999 after the club announced that they were pulling out of the NSL
due to a financial crisis. 10 years later Branko made his comeback to play for Adelaide Olympic
in 2009 and won the premier league player of the year at 45 years of age despite only playing 7 games. But that wasn't all he achieved in 2009, Branko and his son Alen became the first father and son to play together in the same team in the premier league. Branko currently coaches Adelaide Olympic
in 1990. He made 15 appearances and scored 2 goals. Milosevic scored against New Zealand in 1991, and North Korea
in 1992.
in 2000 where he was player/Coach in the premier league (2nd division), he won the league undefeated and was promoted into the super league (1st division). The following year he finished 6th in the super league and 6th again in 2002. Branko then coached the SA state teams for a couple years before joining Adelaide Raiders
in 2005 where in his first year he finished 2nd in the league and 2nd in the league cup losing out to rivals White City
in extra time. In 2006 Branko brought Carl Maynard, now of Adelaide Galaxy
, as his assistant, together they finished 2nd again but at seasons end Milosevic wanted Carl to have the job as he wanted to develop the youth teams (U/19s and reserves) at Raiders and prepare the younger players for the 1st team in the years to come. But things didn't work out as the club wasn’t happy with Carl Maynard even though he had finished the 2007 season equal 2nd but after a slow start. So in 2008 Branko took up the job again and developed an outstanding young squad which included the likes of Osama Malik
, Mimi Saric
and Richie Alagich
. They finished 4th after losing out to Campbelltown City SC
3-2 in the 106th minute in the quarter finals at Newton Sportsground in what was probably the game of the season. Branko left Adelaide Raiders
at seasons end and re-joined Adelaide Olympic
as assistant coach (and then eventually player) to head coach Ivan Zafran.
After making his comeback to soccer in 2009 for Adelaide Olympic
as player/assistant coach the club appointed Branko as the head coach for the 2010 season. He finished the 2010 season 6th and has been re-appointed for the 2011 season and his team are more than likely the favorites to win the 2011 season
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who made several appearances for the Socceroos. Milosevic was known for his extremely fast bursts of speed, vision, goal scoring ability, positioning, work rate, distribution and skill with the ball.
Europe
Born in OsijekOsijek
Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 83,496 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja county...
, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, Branko Milosevic played for Olimpija Osijek as a junior and later was picked up by NK Dinamo Zagreb where he played with the likes of Zvonimir Boban
Zvonimir Boban
Zvonimir Boban is a Croatian former football midfielder who played most of his professional career for Serie A club Milan, with whom he won four Serie A titles and the Champions League. He was a member of the Croatia national team which attained third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, with Boban...
in the Yugoslav First League
Yugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
. Branko left zagreb shortly after arriving and joined SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846 is a German association football club from Ulm, Baden-Württemberg and is one of the country's largest and oldest sports clubs with over 12,000 members in more than twenty different departments. The modern-day club was formed out of 5 May 1970 merger of TSG Ulm 1846 and 1...
in Germany where he had two successful seasons before coming to Australia.
Australia
Milosevic came to Australia in 1987 and played for Croatian side Melbourne Croatia (Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
). He was an instant star; he brought so many great qualities to the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
and was arguably the best player in Australia. He left Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
in 1991 to move to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
side Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
where he was one of the crowds favourite. He had a great first season and Australian coach Eddie Thompson marked him as his player of the year unfortunately he finished runner up in the Johnny Warren
Johnny Warren
John Norman Warren, MBE, OAM was an Australian football player, coach, administrator, writer and broadcaster. He was known as Captain Socceroo for his passionate work to promote the game in Australia...
medal as he did a few years back while at Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
. Milosevic left Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
in 1995 after Coach David Ratcliffe dropped the Socceroo midfielder out of the squad without a reason. West Adelaide
West Adelaide
West Adelaide may refer to:*A geographical region to the west of the Adelaide Central business district*West Adelaide SC, Reformed football club 1978 NSL Champions...
were quick to offer and brought Milosevic to Adelaide. After a couple of seasons at West Adelaide
West Adelaide
West Adelaide may refer to:*A geographical region to the west of the Adelaide Central business district*West Adelaide SC, Reformed football club 1978 NSL Champions...
Branko was able to change his game style and play as sweeper, despite being in his 30's. He was playing very well and kept the West Adelaide SC defense strong and organised and was then appointed captain in 1997. Milosevic then announced his retirement from the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
in 1999 after the club announced that they were pulling out of the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
due to a financial crisis. 10 years later Branko made his comeback to play for Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia.- Adelaide Olympic Facts :Name Changes:*In 1989 the club changed its name to Olympians....
in 2009 and won the premier league player of the year at 45 years of age despite only playing 7 games. But that wasn't all he achieved in 2009, Branko and his son Alen became the first father and son to play together in the same team in the premier league. Branko currently coaches Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia.- Adelaide Olympic Facts :Name Changes:*In 1989 the club changed its name to Olympians....
National Honour
Milosevic made his Australian debut against South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
in 1990. He made 15 appearances and scored 2 goals. Milosevic scored against New Zealand in 1991, and North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
in 1992.
Coaching career
Milosevic took up his first job as manager to Adelaide OlympicAdelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia.- Adelaide Olympic Facts :Name Changes:*In 1989 the club changed its name to Olympians....
in 2000 where he was player/Coach in the premier league (2nd division), he won the league undefeated and was promoted into the super league (1st division). The following year he finished 6th in the super league and 6th again in 2002. Branko then coached the SA state teams for a couple years before joining Adelaide Raiders
Adelaide Raiders
Raiders is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia, that plays in the South Australian Super League. Its home ground is the Croatian Sports Centre in Gepps Cross, a northern suburb of Adelaide. It is a Croatian Australian-backed club and is also known by the name "Adelaide Croatia"...
in 2005 where in his first year he finished 2nd in the league and 2nd in the league cup losing out to rivals White City
White City Woodville
White City Woodville are a football club from Adelaide, South Australia. White City Woodville play in the South Australian Premier League formed in 2006. They are based at Frank Mitchell Park in Woodville West in Adelaide's western suburbs. They are a Serbian Australian-backed club and are also...
in extra time. In 2006 Branko brought Carl Maynard, now of Adelaide Galaxy
Adelaide Galaxy
Adelaide Galaxy is a football club which participates in the South Australian Super League. The club is located in Novar Gardens, South Australia, a western suburb of Adelaide. They are the oldest club in the league.- History :...
, as his assistant, together they finished 2nd again but at seasons end Milosevic wanted Carl to have the job as he wanted to develop the youth teams (U/19s and reserves) at Raiders and prepare the younger players for the 1st team in the years to come. But things didn't work out as the club wasn’t happy with Carl Maynard even though he had finished the 2007 season equal 2nd but after a slow start. So in 2008 Branko took up the job again and developed an outstanding young squad which included the likes of Osama Malik
Osama Malik
Osama "Ozzie" Malik is an Australian football player who currently plays for Adelaide United.- Club career :...
, Mimi Saric
Mimi Saric
Mislav "Mimi" Saric is an Australian football player who currently plays for South Australian Super League team Adelaide Raiders...
and Richie Alagich
Richie Alagich
Richie Alagich is a retired Australian football player. He was a right full back mostly known for playing for Adelaide United in the A-League...
. They finished 4th after losing out to Campbelltown City SC
Campbelltown City SC
Campbelltown City SC is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. Campbelltown is a participant in the South Australian Super League...
3-2 in the 106th minute in the quarter finals at Newton Sportsground in what was probably the game of the season. Branko left Adelaide Raiders
Adelaide Raiders
Raiders is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia, that plays in the South Australian Super League. Its home ground is the Croatian Sports Centre in Gepps Cross, a northern suburb of Adelaide. It is a Croatian Australian-backed club and is also known by the name "Adelaide Croatia"...
at seasons end and re-joined Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia.- Adelaide Olympic Facts :Name Changes:*In 1989 the club changed its name to Olympians....
as assistant coach (and then eventually player) to head coach Ivan Zafran.
After making his comeback to soccer in 2009 for Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia.- Adelaide Olympic Facts :Name Changes:*In 1989 the club changed its name to Olympians....
as player/assistant coach the club appointed Branko as the head coach for the 2010 season. He finished the 2010 season 6th and has been re-appointed for the 2011 season and his team are more than likely the favorites to win the 2011 season
External links
- http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/M/MI.html
http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1993A.html
http://www.sesasport.com.au/pages/documents/Croatiasquads1953-2006.pdf
http://www.croatiasa.com/soccerclub/raiders.htm
http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1991A.html
http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22790
http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32994
http://standard-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/super-league-alagich-leads-raiders/
http://members.ccmariners.com.au/aleague/CCM/article/show.asp?articleid=5974&menuItemID=
http://www.adam.com.au/ahowe/nsl/d13/m9293110.html
http://www.adam.com.au/ahowe/nsl/d13/m9798125.html
http://www.melbournevictory.net/forum/showthread.php?page=2&t=30798