Tomislav Ivić

Who was Tomislav Ivić?

Tomislav Ivić was a Croatian football player and manager.

Often described as a brilliant strategist, Ivić is credited with helping develop the modern style of the game. In April 2007 the Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport proclaimed him as the most successful football manager in history, due to his 7 league titles won in 5 different countries.

Ivić managed teams in 14 different countries along with 4 national teams, and he won titles and cups in six countries. He won seven top flight championships, 6 national cups, an UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup.

Throughout his career, he managed in ten countries. In his homeland, he coached RNK Split, Hajduk Split, Dinamo Zagreb and the national team; in the Netherlands, he coached Ajax; in Belgium, Anderlecht and Standard Liège; in Turkey, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe; Avellino was his only experience in Italy; Panathinaikos in Greece; in Portugal, he coached FC Porto and Benfica; in France, he managed Paris Saint Germain and Olympique de Marseille; in Spain, Atlético Madrid; in United Arab Emirates, Al Wasl FC and the national team; and, in Iran, Persepolis and the national selection.