Nikola Jurčević

Nikola " Jura " Jurčević ( born 14 September 1966 in Zagreb ) is a former Croatian footballer and current coach.

Playing career

Jurčević started his career at Dinamo Zagreb and played there together with his intimate friends Robert Prosinečki and Zvonko Boban, who made later career at AC Milan and Real Madrid. In addition to his two teammates Jurčević was regarded as the greatest talent at Dinamo and as one of the greatest hopes of the Yugoslav football at all. After a conflict with Dinamo's youth coach Beljin changed Jurassic age of 18 at Royal Antwerp. After a moderately successful year in Belgium Croat returned to his homeland and played from then on for their city rivals FC Zagreb.

In summer 1991 Jurčević moved to its second overseas station and signed the Austrian Bundesliga SV Austria Salzburg. In Salzburg, the trained striker soon became celebrated on account of its financial statements and assist strength as the whirlwind of the Balkans. He was with Salzburg in 1994 and 1995 Austrian champion and won in 1994 with 14 goals this season with his club colleague Heimo Pfeifenberger the title of the Austrian scorer. His biggest success " law " as it was called from Salzburg fans by reaching the UEFA Cup final with the people of Salzburg in the 1993/94 season, which went narrowly lost against Inter Milan. Another success was the following season the entry into the UEFA Champions League.

After his successful stint in Austria, he moved for two years to SC Freiburg in the German Bundesliga. There he came on 45 missions and scored 5 goals for the Breisgauer. After the stay in Germany, he spent a year back to Salzburg.

Jura participated with the Croatian national football team at the 1996 European Championships in England, where he completed three games and got a yellow card. Overall, he played 19 international matches in his career, in which he scored two goals.

Coaching career

Jurčević began his coaching career in 2003 at his hometown club Dinamo Zagreb. After a moderately successful debut as coach Dinamo, he finally took effect in 2005 to his second coaching position at his former club SV Austria Salzburg. After the takeover of the club by Red Bull Jura was replaced after only two games of Manfred Linzmaier as a coach. From the 19th August 2005 he coached the Croatian first division side NK Slaven Koprivnica Belupo. Currently, Jurčević Assistant to the Croatian national team coach Slaven Bilic.