- Velimir Zajec
Infobox Football biography
playername = Velimir Zajec
fullname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1956|2|12
cityofbirth =Zagreb ,SR Croatia
countryofbirth =SFR Yugoslavia
height =
position = Defensive Midfielder
currentclub =
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1974–1984 1984–1988
clubs =NK Dinamo Zagreb Panathinaikos FC
caps(goals) = 238 0(13)
67 0(11)
nationalyears = 1977–1988
nationalteam = SFR Yugoslavia
nationalcaps(goals) = 036 00(1)
manageryears = 1996–1997 1997–1998 2004–2005
managerclubs =Panathinaikos FC NK Dinamo Zagreb Portsmouth F.C. Velimir Zajec (born
February 12 ,1956 inZagreb ,SR Croatia ,SFR Yugoslavia ) is a former football player.Zajec began his career at
Dinamo Zagreb in 1974 aged 18. During 10 years at the club he helped them to two domestic cup wins, as well as the league title, their first title honour in 24 years. He then transferred to Greek clubPanathinaikos , for whom he was tremendously successful, and played over 100 games.His performances at club level had seen Zajec capped by Yugoslavia, whom he represented 40 times, many as captain.
Following retirement he spent two years (1989-1991) as 'Director of Football' at former club Dinamo Zagreb, before returning to Panathinaikos to run their academy. Before long he was promoted to head coach of the club. After a period he again returned to Zagreb, this time as head coach, before moving once more back to Panathinaikos in 2002 to become 'Director of Football'. In 1998, he led Dinamo in three matches of the
UEFA Champions League and remained undefeated with two wins and a draw. Dinamo nevertheless did not manage to advance to the quarterfinals after finishing second in their group (only first-place finisher advanced at the time).In 2004, he moved to English club
Portsmouth F.C. to take up a position as executive director. He took over as temporary team manager following the resignation ofHarry Redknapp in November 2004 and was confirmed as the new manager on December 21, 2004. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4111337.stm Zajec named as Pompey boss] , BBC Sport, 21 December, 2004] Five months later he reverted to his intended director's role, following the arrival ofAlain Perrin . He resigned from his position at Fratton Park onOctober 10 ,2005 due to personal reasons. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4322092.stm Zajec resigns from Portsmouth job] , BBC Sport, 10 October 2005]He is referred by Panathinaikos fans as the "Rabbit".
References
External links
* [http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=20666 Career]
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