Dragan Skočić Explained

Dragan Skočić
Birth Date:3 September 1968
Birth Place:Rijeka, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Tractor (manager)
Years1:1987–1991
Clubs1:Rijeka
Caps1:20
Goals1:2
Years2:1991–1993
Clubs2:Las Palmas
Caps2:41
Goals2:6
Years3:1993–1996
Clubs3:Compostela
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Years4:1996
Clubs4:Rijeka
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:2001–2004
Clubs5:Novalja
Years6:2004
Clubs6:Al-Ittihad Kalba
Manageryears1:2005–2006
Managerclubs1:Rijeka
Manageryears2:2007–2008
Managerclubs2:Interblock
Manageryears3:2009–2010
Managerclubs3:Al-Arabi
Manageryears4:2011
Managerclubs4:Al Nassr
Manageryears5:2012
Managerclubs5:Rijeka
Manageryears6:2013–2014
Managerclubs6:Malavan
Manageryears7:2014–2016
Managerclubs7:Foolad
Manageryears8:2018
Managerclubs8:Khooneh be Khooneh
Manageryears9:2019–2020
Managerclubs9:Sanat Naft
Manageryears10:2020–2022
Managerclubs10:Iran
Manageryears11:2023–2024
Managerclubs11:Croatia U21
Manageryears12:2024–
Managerclubs12:Tractor

Dragan Skočić (born 3 September 1968) is a Croatian professional football coach and former player who is the manager of Iranian club Tractor.

Skočić played as a midfielder in Croatia, Spain and the UAE for Rijeka, Las Palmas, Compostela, Novalja and Al-Ittihad Kalba.

Playing career

Skočić, a midfielder, played professional club football in Croatia for Rijeka and NK Novalja,[1] in Spain for Las Palmas and Compostela,[2] [3] [4] and in the UAE for Al-Ittihad Kalba.[5] He was the first player from the Croatian football league who went abroad to play professionally.[6]

Coaching career

Early career

After his playing career, Skočić went on to complete the Football Academy at the Croatian Football Academy and the Coach Education and Training Department at the Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology, receiving an UEFA-PRO Coach diploma and a Professional Bachelor of the Coaching Profession.[7]

Rijeka

He became manager of his hometown club, Rijeka, in 2005. Skočić secured one trophy for the club, winning the Croatian Cup for the 2005–06 season.[8]

Interblock Ljubljana

In 2007, he became the head coach of the Slovenian club Interblock Ljubljana, while the club was in a difficult situation on the league scale. Only two years after the club was founded and under the management of Skočić, the club achieved outstanding results in the Slovenian PrvaLiga. Not only did they manage to stay in the first league, but they also won two trophies in the 2007–08 season, the Slovenian Cup[9] and a Super Cup.[10]

Al Arabi

Skočić took a year long sabbatical from coaching following his time at Interblock,[11] and in the 2009–10 season, he took over the management of the Al-Arabi club in Kuwait. Under his leadership as head coach, the club played in two finals, the Crown Prince Cup and the Federation Cup. Also under Skočić, Al-Arabi played in the AFC Cup quarter-finals.[12]

Al Nassr

Following Kuwait, in the 2010–11 season, Skočić was engaged by the Al Nassr football club from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one of the most prominent football clubs in the Arab world. Under Skočić, Al Nassr qualified for the third round of the AFC Champions League, after having played a successful season of competitions within the group. On 25 May 2011, he was sacked after a disappointing 4–1 loss to 2010 AFC Champions League finalists Zob Ahan, and was replaced by Portuguese boss Eurico Gomes.[13]

Return to Rijeka

In March 2012 Skočić returned to take over the management of his hometown club Rijeka by replacing Ivo Ištuk as head coach, and became the third coach to take charge of the club in the 2011–12 Prva HNL season.[14] Skočić inherited a defensively frail side that was 2 points off the relegation zone and was tasked with saving the team from relegation.[15] Upon a 2-0 defeat to Cibalia, the club fell to the 12th place in the league.[16] After just 43 days in charge,[17] Skočić was relieved of his position, following a series of poor results, and was replaced by his assistant, Mladen Ivančić.[18] [19] [20]

Malavan

On 26 May 2013, Skočić was announced as head coach of Malavan for the upcoming season. He signed a two-year contract with the club.[21] He led the club to the seventh place, their best league finish since 2005.[22]

Foolad

On 23 May 2014, Skočić was named as new head coach of Iran Pro League title-holders Foolad,[23] on a one-year contract, replacing Hossein Faraki who resigned on the following day.[24] In May 2015, Skočić received the award for coach of the month and signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at the club until July 2017.[25] In November 2015 after poor scores with the club, Skočić was linked with the vacant head coach position at Sepahan F.C. but the job went to his compatriot, Igor Štimac.[26] After an unsuccessful transfer to Sepahan, he remained as Foolad's head coach according to his contract.[27] [28] He left the club on 1 June 2016.[29]

Khooneh be Khooneh Babol

On 16 January 2018 he became manager of F.C. Khooneh be Khooneh (Rayka Babol) replacing formerly resigned Javad Nekounam.[30] He soon went on a streak by getting 13 points out of his first 5 games and also leading the second tier team into Hazfi Cup's final.[31] [32]

Sanat Naft

In July 2019 he became manager of Sanat Naft.[33]

Iran national team

On 6 February 2020, Skočić was named head coach of the Iran national team.[34] He managed to take Iran to the 2022 World Cup as the winner of Group A by scoring 25 points out of 10 matches in the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and set the best performance of the Iran national football team in the World Cup qualifiers.[35] [36]

He was replaced as the Iranian national team manager on 7 September 2022.[37]

Croatia national under-21 team

On 14 April 2023, Dragan Skočić was appointed as the manager of the Croatia national under-21 team.[38] [39]

Tractor

In July 2024 he became manager of Iranian club Tractor.[40] [41]

Career statistics

[42] [43]

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
SeasonClubLeagueApps GoalsApps GoalsApps GoalsApps GoalsApps Goals
YugoslaviaLeagueYugoslav CupLeague CupEuropeTotal
1987–88RijekaYugoslav First League0000--00
1988–890000--00
1989–901000--10
1990–9119240--232
SpainLeagueCopa del ReySupercopa de EspañaEuropeTotal
1991–92Las PalmasSegunda División7000--70
1992–93Segunda División B346----346
1993–94SD CompostelaSegunda División9010--90
1994–95La Liga2000--20
1995–961020--30
CroatiaLeagueCroatian CupSuper CupEuropeTotal
1995–96RijekaPrva HNL2010--30
Total758800000838

Managerial statistics

[44] [45]

TeamFromToRecord
GWDLWin %
HNK Rijeka1 October 2005 30 September 2006
NK Interblock3 March 2007 1 June 2008
Al-Arabi SC1 August 2009 30 June 2010
Al-Nassr FC11 January 2011 26 May 2011
HNK Rijeka19 March 2012 30 April 2012
Malavan28 May 2013 19 April 2014
Foolad23 May 2014 30 June 2016
Khooneh be Khooneh17 January 201812 October 2018
Sanat Naft2 July 20193 February 2020
Iran6 February 20207 September 2022
Total

Honours

Player

Las Palmas

1992–93

Compostela

1993–94

Manager

Rijeka[46]

2005–06

Interblock Ljubljana[46]

2008

Khoone be Khoone

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Footballdatabase.eu profile. footballdatabase.eu. 15 November 2015.
  2. Web site: Borrego . Manuel . .: DRAGAN SKOCIC: "MI META ES ESPAÑA" . . . 8 December 2010.
  3. Web site: Dragan Skocic. globalsportagency.com.
  4. Web site: Skocic, Dragan Skocic - Footballer. bdfutbol.com.
  5. Web site: Al Arabi coach is a relieved man after 2-0 win. Alaric Gomes. gulfnews.com. 15 November 2015.
  6. Web site: Cijeli HNL izvan Hrvatske: od 1992. otišlo je preko dvije tisuće igrača! - Sportske novosti . Sportske.jutarnji.hr . 14 January 2009 . 15 November 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023658/http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/cijeli-hnl-izvan-hrvatske--od-1992--otislo-je-preko-dvije-tisuce-igraca-/858206/ . 17 November 2015 .
  7. Web site: Trofeji i diplome . hr . 6 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140929232355/http://dragan-skocic.com/trofeji-diplome . 29 September 2014 .
  8. Web site: Rijeka na korak do obrane Rabuzinovog sunca, a Vugrinec do reprezentacije. index.hr. 15 November 2015.
  9. Web site: Skočić: Osvojeni pokal smo si nadvse zaslužili. Tina Pertoci. Planet Siol.net. 15 November 2015.
  10. Web site: Skočić, Zahora, Jukan i Rendulić nakon penala sretniji od Domžala! . jutarnji.hr . 15 November 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015434/http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/skocic--zahora--jukan-i-rendulic-nakon-penala-sretniji-od-domzala-/852587/ . 17 November 2015 .
  11. Web site: Nekdanji trener Interblocka Dragan Skočić se seli v Kuvajt. Dnevnik.
  12. Web site: Shootout saved us says relieved Kwid. https://archive.today/20130205115138/http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-cup-2009-previous-competitions/afc-cup-2009/25472-al-arabi-kuw-0-0-al-karamah-syr-agg-reaction. dead. 6 October 2012. 5 February 2013.
  13. Web site: Al Nassr sack coach Dragan Skocic after AFC Champions League defeat. Goal.com.
  14. Web site: Nikad nisam bio kukavica, uvjeren sam u bolje dane. Tomislav Ćuto. sportcom.hr.
  15. Web site: Dragan Skočić smijenjen – Moja Rijeka. Moja Rijeka. 22 November 2015. 23 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151123081048/http://www.mojarijeka.hr/sport/dragan-skocic-smijenjen/. dead.
  16. Web site: Nova smjena trenera u Rijeci: I Dragan Skočić dobio je otkaz. www.24sata.hr.
  17. Web site: SKOČIĆ SMIJENJEN Kantrida traži četvrtog trenera ove sezone, Mladen Ivančić v.d. - Sportske Novosti. sportske.jutarnji.hr.
  18. Web site: Skočić novi trener Rijeke!. sp. rijekadanas.com. 15 November 2015.
  19. Web site: HNK Rijeka - Smijenjen Dragan Skočić. nk-rijeka.hr. 22 November 2015. 23 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151123035115/http://www.nk-rijeka.hr/vijest/smijenjen-dragan-skocic/. dead.
  20. Web site: Skočić više nije trener Rijeke, momčad će voditi Ivančić. Večernji.hr.
  21. Web site: Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & More. Goal.com. 15 November 2015.
  22. Web site: Iranski izbornik ima 4 mil. € plaću, a momčadi su pečat dali i Hrvati. Večernji.hr.
  23. Web site: Iran Sports Press - Dragan Skocic Replaces Foolad's Faraki. Iran Sports Press. 22 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151123035002/http://iransportspress.com/dragan-skocic-replaces-foolads-faraki/. 23 November 2015. dead.
  24. https://fooladfc.com/Fa/news-details/6038/
  25. Web site: Tinta Amarilla - El ex amarillo Dragan Skocic dirigirá dos años más al Foolad iraní. tintaamarilla.es.
  26. Web site: Dragan Skocic parts company with Foolad . tehran times . 11 November 2015 . 15 November 2015.
  27. Web site: خبرورزشی: اسکوچیچ بیخ ریش فولاد! . Khuzestan Sport . 6 February 2016 . 6 February 2016.
  28. Web site: اسکوچیچ در فولاد ماند / سپاهان کماکان بدون سرمربی . ISNA news agency . 6 February 2016 . 6 February 2016.
  29. Web site: اسکوچیچ قراردادش را فسخ کرد. ورزش سه.
  30. Web site: دراگان اسكوچیچ سرمربی جدید تیم فوتبال خونه به خونه مازندران شد. 15 January 2018. ایرنا.
  31. Web site: ادامه روزهای شیرین اسکو در سرزمین شمالی (عکس). ورزش سه.
  32. Web site: گزارش بازی استقلال خوزستان- خونه به خونه بابل 18/12/96 نیمه نهایی جام حذفی. ورزش سه.
  33. Web site: Dragan Skocic Appointed as Iran's Sanat Naft Coach - Sports news. Tasnim News Agency.
  34. Web site: IR Iran appoint Dragan Skocic as new national team head coach . FOX Sports Asia . 6 February 2020 . 6 February 2020 . 6 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200206165857/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/fifa-wc-asian-qualifiers/1229231/ir-iran-appoint-dragan-skocic-as-new-national-team-head-coach/ . dead .
  35. Web site: Iran becomes the first Asian country to Qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 . Sport Star . 27 January 2022.
  36. Web site: 2022 WCQ: Iran Ends Group A as Winner . Tasnim News Agency . 30 March 2022.
  37. Web site: 7 September 2022 . Carlos Queiroz named Iran football coach . . 8 September 2022.
  38. News: . 14 April 2023 . Dragan Skočić preuzima U-21 reprezentaciju! . Dragan Skočić takes over the under-21 team . hr . Dalmacija News . Split . 15 April 2023.
  39. News: Antolić . Dražen . 15 April 2023 . Doživio je veliku nepravdu pa postao novi izbornik mladih vatrenih: 'Jedna stvar neka bude svima jasna' . He was served with a great injustice, and then became a manager of the young blazers . hr . Sportske novosti . Zagreb . 15 April 2023.
  40. Web site: Dragan Skocic named Tractor coach: PGPL. 9 July 2024. Tehran Times.
  41. Web site: Iran’s Ex-Coach Skocic Takes Charge of Tractor - Sports news. Tasnim News Agency.
  42. News: Dragan Skočić statistics. bdfutbol.com. 17 December 2017.
  43. News: HNK Rijeka. nk-rijeka.hr . 12 October 2017.
  44. News: Dragan Skočić Managerial statistics. hrnogomet.com. 17 December 2017 . 17 December 2017.
  45. News: Khooneh be Khooneh FC Results on its official website. fckhoonehbekhooneh.com. 2 May 2018. 2 May 2018.
  46. Web site: Noticias EL DIARIO - Primera página. eldiario.net. 22 November 2015. 31 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160131211541/http://www.eldiario.net/noticias/2010/2010_12/nt101221/7_01dep.php. dead.