Romeo Jozak
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2018) |
 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (January 2018) |
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 11 October 1972 | ||
| Place of birth | Rijeka, Croatia | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 2017–2018 | Legia Warsaw | ||
| 2018–2019 | Kuwait | ||
| 2021- | Saudi Arabia (technical director) | ||
Romeo Jozak (born 11 October 1972) is a Croatian football manager and former player who most recently managed the Kuwait national team.
Early career[]
Jozak grew up in a family of mathematics and physics teachers.[citation needed] He ended his football career early due to a serious injury at the age of twenty-two while playing at the club NK Orijent Rijeka.[1] During the Croatian War of Independence, he stayed in Zagreb. Soon after he was awarded a scholarship to the United States, where he also worked as an instructor at youth summer camps. After returning, he started training with Ilija Lončarević[citation needed], assisting him as an assistant at Dinamo Zagreb (2001-2002[citation needed] and 2004-2005[citation needed]), the Libya team (2003-2004[citation needed] and 2005-2006[citation needed]) and NK Osijek (2006-2008[citation needed]). At the same time, he completed his doctorate education at the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb.
Coaching career[]
Early steps[]
He parted ways with the Croatian Football Federation in March 2017. Then returning to Dinamo Zagreb as a sports director[citation needed], but he only staying there for four months[citation needed]. After the dismissal of Dinamo Zagreb's head coach, Ivaylo Petev, Jozak hinted at taking over for the vacant head coach position[citation needed]. The board replaced Petev with Mario Cvitanović and Jozak soon after decided to resign[citation needed].
Legia Warsaw[]
On 13 September 2017, Jozak was hired as the manager of Polish club Legia Warsaw.[2] On 14 April 2018, after his team lost 0–1 to Zagłębie Lubin, he was fired and replaced by his assistant Dean Klafurić.[3][4]
Kuwait national team[]
On 27 July 2018, Romeo Jozak was hired as Kuwait national team head coach. On 12 September 2019, Romeo Jozak was fired following a home defeat to Australia.[5]
Columbus Blast FC Soccer Academy
Romeo Jozak made a significant investment and became the majority owner of Columbus’ Blast FC Soccer Academy in Columbus, Ohio, which is the longest running youth soccer program in Central Ohio.[6]
Saudi Arabia[]
On 22 July 2021, Romeo Jozak was hired as Saudi Arabia Technical Director.[7]
Managerial statistics[]
As of 30 June 2021
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Legia Warsaw | 
|
13 September 2017 | 14 April 2018 | 27 | 16 | 3 | 8 | 59.26 |
| Kuwait | 
|
27 July 2018 | 11 September 2019 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 40.00 |
| Total | 32 | 18 | 4 | 10 | 56.25 | |||
References[]
- ^ Lesički, Alen (10 September 2015). "DOKTOR NOGOMETA I PONAJBOLJI STUDENT Tko je čovjek koji bira novog izbornika hrvatske reprezentacije?" [The doctor of football and one of the best students: Who is the person who is choosing the new coach of the national team?]. jutarnji.hr (in Croatian). Jutarnji Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ "Profile". Interia. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Profile". Interia. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Ekstraklasa. Dean Klafurić nowym trenerem Legii Warszawa Piłka nożna". Sport.pl. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/fifa-wc-asian-qualifiers/1170911/kuwait-head-coach-romeo-jozak-sacked-after-3-0-defeat-to-australia-in-2022-world-cup-qualifiers/
- ^ https://www.soccertoday.com/croatias-romeo-jozak-invests-in-blast-fc-soccer-academy/
- ^ @BlastFC86 (22 July 2021). "