Frank Juric
Encyclopedia
Frank Jurić is an Australia
n football (soccer) goalkeeper
of Croatia
n descent. He is currently the goalkeeping coach of A-League
club Perth Glory.
with Melbourne Knights
, where he won two league titles, before moving to the newly-formed Collingwood Warriors (also based in Melbourne
). The club struggled financially though and was unable to go on beyond this solitary season, in which they finished second bottom.
The goalkeeper took this as his cue to move to Europe
, although the transfer was a protracted affair, as Collingwood Warriors - no longer technically in existence - still demanded a fee from Fortuna Düsseldorf
. Eventually, this was resolved by the German
club paying $30,000 and Jurić was free to move for the 1997/98 season.
His first season in Germany
was relatively successful as Fortuna Düsseldorf
finished 7th in the 2.Bundesliga
. However, the following year they suffered relegation to the Regionalliga-West
.
Fortunately for him, Jurić had been spotted by Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen
and he signed for the high-flying club in Summer 1999.
Jurić was used as a backup keeper here, behind the likes of Adam Matysek
and Hans-Jörg Butt
but still managed 11 Bundesliga
appearances as the club enjoyed a series of strong performances both domestically, and notably in the 2002 Champions League
, where they reached the final. Jurić himself appeared twice in the UEFA Champions League
in 2002/03, against Olympiacos
and Manchester United
.
In June 2004, he joined fellow Bundesliga side Hannover 96
as second choice keeper behind Robert Enke
. His time with the Reds has been blighted by persistent knee
problems, limiting to just a single appearance in his first three seasons there, playing in a 2-2 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach
on 6 May 2006.
In May 2008, it was announced that Juric was to return to his native Australia
for the 2008/09 A-League
season, with Perth Glory. He competed for the number one jersey alongside Olyroo Tando Velaphi
, while Jason Petkovic
was retained as a backup and advisor to the youth team. Juric's poor run of form led to the goalkeeping position given to Tando Velaphi.
On May 2009, Juric retired as a player and joined Glory as goalkeeping coach, when they signed Aleks Vrteski
as the club's second goalkeeper
.
, making his debut on 10 November 1995 in an 1996 OFC Nations Cup
match against New Zealand which finished goalless, and also appearing on 10 February 1996 in a 1-4 friendly defeat to Japan
.
He also competed in the 1996 Olympics
in the football competition and was an unused squad member in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup
, where they achieved 3rd place. However, the likes of Mark Schwarzer
, Zeljko Kalac
and Mark Bosnich
had severely limited his hopes of international football.
:
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football (soccer) goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
of Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n descent. He is currently the goalkeeping coach of A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
club Perth Glory.
Club career
Jurić began his professional career in the former Australian national leagueNational 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...
with 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...
, where he won two league titles, before moving to the newly-formed Collingwood Warriors (also based in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
). The club struggled financially though and was unable to go on beyond this solitary season, in which they finished second bottom.
The goalkeeper took this as his cue to move to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, although the transfer was a protracted affair, as Collingwood Warriors - no longer technically in existence - still demanded a fee from Fortuna Düsseldorf
Fortuna Düsseldorf
' is a German association football club based in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, currently playing in the second tier of German league football, the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga...
. Eventually, this was resolved by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
club paying $30,000 and Jurić was free to move for the 1997/98 season.
His first season in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
was relatively successful as Fortuna Düsseldorf
Fortuna Düsseldorf
' is a German association football club based in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, currently playing in the second tier of German league football, the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga...
finished 7th in the 2.Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
. However, the following year they suffered relegation to the Regionalliga-West
Regionalliga (football)
The Fußball-Regionalliga is the fourth tier of football in the German football league system. Until 1974, it was the second tier of the league system before being disbanded. The Regionalliga was then re-introduced as the third tier of the system in 1994...
.
Fortunately for him, Jurić had been spotted by Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
and he signed for the high-flying club in Summer 1999.
Jurić was used as a backup keeper here, behind the likes of Adam Matysek
Adam Matysek
Adam Matysek is a retired Polish football goalkeeper.He made 34 appearances for the Polish national team, and was a member of their squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play any matches at the tournament.After his playing career, Matysek worked for the Polish Football Association...
and Hans-Jörg Butt
Hans-Jörg Butt
Hans-Jörg Butt is a German footballer who plays for FC Bayern Munich in the German League, as a goalkeeper.Known for taking penalty kicks, he netted nearly 30 goals in Germany's top flight...
but still managed 11 Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
appearances as the club enjoyed a series of strong performances both domestically, and notably in the 2002 Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2001-02
The 2001–02 UEFA Champions League was the tenth season of UEFA's premier club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since its rebranding from the European Cup in 1992. The tournament was won by Real Madrid, who beat Bayer Leverkusen in the final to claim their ninth European Cup title...
, where they reached the final. Jurić himself appeared twice in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 2002/03, against Olympiacos
Olympiacos CFP
----Olympiacos Club of Fans of Piraeus, , , transliterated Olympiakos Sindesmos Filathlon Pireos, is the most popular multisport club and the most successful in Greece, based in Piraeus....
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
In June 2004, he joined fellow Bundesliga side Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
as second choice keeper behind Robert Enke
Robert Enke
Robert Enke was a German football goalkeeper.Enke played at leading clubs in several European countries, namely Barcelona, Benfica and Fenerbahçe, but made the majority of his appearances for Bundesliga side Hannover 96 in his homeland.He won eight full international caps for the German national...
. His time with the Reds has been blighted by persistent knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
problems, limiting to just a single appearance in his first three seasons there, playing in a 2-2 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
on 6 May 2006.
In May 2008, it was announced that Juric was to return to his native Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
for the 2008/09 A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
season, with Perth Glory. He competed for the number one jersey alongside Olyroo Tando Velaphi
Tando Velaphi
Tando Yuji Velaphi is an Australian football goalkeeper who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Before joining Victory in 2011, he spent several seasons at , eventually developing into their first-choice 'keeper....
, while Jason Petkovic
Jason Petkovic
Jason Petkovic is an Australian football player with Croatian origins and the brother of Michael Petkovic.-Club career:...
was retained as a backup and advisor to the youth team. Juric's poor run of form led to the goalkeeping position given to Tando Velaphi.
On May 2009, Juric retired as a player and joined Glory as goalkeeping coach, when they signed Aleks Vrteski
Aleks Vrteski
Aleksandar Vrteski is a football goalkeeper who plays for Solo FC in Liga Primer Indonesia.-Club career:...
as the club's second goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
.
International career
Jurić has made two full appearances for the Australian national teamAustralia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
, making his debut on 10 November 1995 in an 1996 OFC Nations Cup
1996 OFC Nations Cup
The 1996 OFC Nations Cup was not held as a cohesive tournament, but consisted of semi-finals and a final played on a two-legged basis, stretched out between November 1995 and November 1996....
match against New Zealand which finished goalless, and also appearing on 10 February 1996 in a 1-4 friendly defeat to Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
.
He also competed in the 1996 Olympics
Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia....
in the football competition and was an unused squad member in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup
2001 FIFA Confederations Cup
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-Top scorers:2 goals Shaun Murphy Éric Carrière Robert Pirès Patrick Vieira Sylvain Wiltord Takayuki Suzuki Hwang Sun-Hong...
, where they achieved 3rd place. However, the likes of Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer OAM is an Australian association football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He currently plays for Premier League club Fulham. He rose to prominence during his time at North-East England football club Middlesbrough...
, Zeljko Kalac
Željko Kalac
Željko Kalac is a retired Australian football goalkeeper. Standing at 2.02m, Kalac is one of the world's tallest professional goalkeepers....
and Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich is a retired Australian football player and football pundit. He represented Australia 17 times and played for English Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea.-Manchester United :...
had severely limited his hopes of international football.
A-League career statistics
(Correct as of 22 October 2008)| Club | Season | League | Finals | Asia | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | CS | Apps | Goals | CS | Apps | Goals | CS | Apps | Goals | CS | ||
| Perth Glory | 2008–09 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 4 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
Honours
With AustraliaAustralia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
:
- OFC Nations CupOFC Nations CupThe OFC Nations Cup is an international association football tournament held among the Oceania Football Confederation member nations. It was held every two years from 1996 to 2004; before 1996 there were two other tournaments held at irregular intervals, under the name Oceania Nations Cup...
: 19961996 OFC Nations CupThe 1996 OFC Nations Cup was not held as a cohesive tournament, but consisted of semi-finals and a final played on a two-legged basis, stretched out between November 1995 and November 1996....