Jerko Leko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jerko Leko

Leko with Dinamo Zagreb in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Jerko Leko
Date of birth	(1980-04-09) 9 April 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Zagreb, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Jarun (manager)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2002	Dinamo Zagreb	45	(5)
2002–2006	Dynamo Kyiv	61	(7)
2002–2006	→ Dynamo-2 Kyiv	2	(0)
2006–2010	Monaco	85	(4)
2010–2011	Bucaspor	30	(2)
2011–2014	Dinamo Zagreb	63	(5)
2014–2016	Lokomotiva	55	(4)
Total		339	(27)
International career
1999	Croatia U19	2	(0)
2000	Croatia U20	3	(0)
2001	Croatia U21	1	(0)
2002–2009	Croatia	59	(2)
Managerial career
2017–2021	Lokomotiva (U19)
2021	Hrvatski Dragovoljac
2021	Lokomotiva
2021–	Jarun
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jerko Leko was born on April 9, 1980. He is a Croatian football manager and a former player. He currently manages the club Jarun in Croatia's second-tier league.

During his playing career, Leko was mainly a central midfielder. He could also play as a right midfielder or a right-back. He played for the Croatia national football team in two major European tournaments and one FIFA World Cup. His career as a player lasted 17 years. He played in top leagues in Croatia, Ukraine, France, and Turkey.

Jerko Leko's Club Career

Jerko Leko started his football journey with Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in 2000. At first, he didn't play much. After a short loan, he became a regular player in the 2001–02 season. That year, Dinamo won the Croatian Cup. Leko even scored a goal in the final game and was named the best player of the match.

Playing for Dynamo Kyiv

In 2002, Leko moved to Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine. This was a big move for him. In his first season there, Dynamo won both the league and the cup. Leko played 18 games for the team that season. He stayed with Dynamo Kyiv until February 2006.

Time in France and Turkey

After leaving Dynamo Kyiv, Leko joined the French club AS Monaco in June 2006. He played there for four years. In 2010, he moved to Turkey and signed a two-year deal with Bucaspor.

Return to Dinamo Zagreb

In May 2011, Jerko Leko returned to his first club, Dinamo Zagreb. He signed a two-year contract. In August 2014, he went on loan to NK Lokomotiva. He then joined Lokomotiva permanently in 2015. This was his last season as a professional football player.

Jerko Leko's International Career

Jerko Leko played for the Croatia national football team. His first game for Croatia was in 2002 against Hungary. He scored an important goal in a 4–0 win against Belgium during the qualifiers for Euro 2004. He was part of the squad for that tournament.

World Cup and Euro Appearances

Leko was chosen to play for Croatia in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played in two games as a substitute, against Brazil and Australia. He was also part of the team for UEFA Euro 2008.

In the Euro 2008 quarter-final match against Turkey, Leko was about to enter the game. However, the referee did not allow the substitution. Turkey then scored a late goal, sending the game to a penalty shootout, which Turkey won. Leko's last game for Croatia was a friendly match in 2009.

International Goals for Croatia

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	29 March 2003	Maksimir, Zagreb	Belgium	4 – 0	4 – 0	UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
2	1 February 2006	Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong	Hong Kong	2 – 0	4 – 0	2006 Carlsberg Cup

Jerko Leko's Managerial Career

After his playing career, Jerko Leko became a football manager. He started coaching the Under-19 team of Lokomotiva in 2017. He led them in the 2017–18 UEFA Youth League, but they were eliminated in the second round.

Coaching Senior Teams

In January 2021, Leko briefly became the manager of Hrvatski Dragovoljac. Just a few days later, he moved to become the head coach of Lokomotiva's senior team. His first game as a senior team manager was a 3–0 loss. However, he got his first win on January 30, beating Hajduk Split 1–0 away. He was the manager of Lokomotiva until March 2021.

In July 2021, Leko was named the manager of Jarun. This was their first season in the second-tier league, Druga HNL. He is still managing Jarun today.

Managerial Statistics

Jerko Leko's Honours and Trophies

As a Player

Dinamo Zagreb

• Croatian First League: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
• Croatian Cup: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2011–12
• Croatian Super Cup: 2002, 2013

Dynamo Kyiv

• Ukrainian Premier League: 2002–03, 2003–04
• Ukrainian Cup: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06

See also

In Spanish: Jerko Leko para niños