Mark Bosnich facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mark Bosnich

Bosnich playing for the Central Coast Mariners in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Mark John Bosnich
Date of birth	(1972-01-13) 13 January 1972 (age 53)
Place of birth	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1988–1989	Sydney Croatia
1989–1990	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1990–1991	Manchester United	3	(0)
1991–1992	Sydney United	5	(0)
1992–1999	Aston Villa	179	(0)
1999–2001	Manchester United	23	(0)
2001–2003	Chelsea	5	(0)
2008	Central Coast Mariners	4	(0)
2009	Sydney Olympic	8	(0)
Total		227	(0)
International career
1991	Australia U20	6	(0)
1991–1992	Australia U23	6	(0)
1993–2000	Australia	17	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Australia FIFA Confederations Cup Runner-up 1997 Saudi Arabia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mark John Bosnich (born 13 January 1972) is an Australian former professional soccer player. He played as a goalkeeper and is now a sports commentator. He played for famous clubs in England like Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Chelsea. He also played in Australia for Sydney United, Central Coast Mariners, and Sydney Olympic. Mark Bosnich represented Australia 17 times during his career.

Mark Bosnich first came to England in 1989 to play for Manchester United. However, he did not get many chances to play in the main team. He also had trouble getting a work visa, so he went back to Australia. A year later, Aston Villa brought him back to England. He became known as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League during the 1990s.

In 1999, Manchester United signed him again to replace Peter Schmeichel. But injuries and fewer chances to play led to a dip in his performance. He moved to Chelsea in 2001, where he again struggled to play regularly and continued to have injuries. In September 2002, his contract with Chelsea ended, and he faced a suspension from playing football for nine months.

Bosnich took a break from football for several years. He started training for a comeback in 2007. He returned to play professionally in his home country, Australia, the following year. He retired from playing in 2009.

Playing Career Highlights

Early Days at Manchester United (1988–1991)

Mark Bosnich grew up in Liverpool, a town in southwestern Sydney, Australia. His father came from Croatia. Mark went to Casula Primary School and Liverpool Boys High School. He played cricket for Prestons Cricket Club. Before moving to England, Bosnich played for the Sydney Croatia youth team.

In 1989, when he was 17, he joined Manchester United. He played his first game for them on 30 April 1990 against Wimbledon. He only played two more games for Manchester United before leaving the club in June 1991. Bosnich had been in England on a student visa. When it ran out, he returned to Sydney Croatia briefly in 1991. He then came back to England, joining Aston Villa in February 1992.

Time at Aston Villa (1992–1999)

Bosnich became a regular player for Aston Villa in the 1993–94 season. In the League Cup semi-final that season, he famously saved three shots in a penalty shoot-out against Tranmere Rovers. Villa went on to win the final against his old club, Manchester United. In March 1994, Bosnich saved two penalties against Tottenham Hotspur in one game. These were his fourth and fifth penalty saves that season.

The 1995–96 season was one of Bosnich's best. Many people thought he was one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. He helped Villa finish fourth in the league. They also won the Football League Cup final at Wembley by beating Leeds United 3–0.

Bosnich played three more seasons at Villa Park. His contract then ended, and he moved back to Manchester United. He played 207 games for Aston Villa over seven and a half years.

Return to Manchester United (1999–2001)

Manchester United signed Bosnich again in 1999. He was meant to take over from Peter Schmeichel. During this season, he helped United win the Premier League title. He played in 23 league games that season. A highlight was saving two penalties in January 2000. One was against Necaxa in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. The other was against Middlesbrough's Juninho. He also helped Manchester United become the first English team to win the Intercontinental Cup by not letting any goals in against Palmeiras from Brazil.

After one season as United's main goalkeeper, the club signed French World Cup-winning goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in June 2000. Bosnich then became the third-choice goalkeeper. He also lost his spot in the Australian national team to Mark Schwarzer. With less hope of playing for Manchester United, Bosnich looked to move to Chelsea.

Time at Chelsea (2001–2002)

Mark Bosnich did not play any first-team games for Manchester United after Fabien Barthez arrived. On 18 January 2001, he joined Chelsea. He had problems with his fitness and injuries. His first game for Chelsea was in the next season, in a UEFA Cup match against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Bosnich was injured in a league game against Everton in November 2001. This was his last game for Chelsea. In September 2002, his contract with Chelsea ended, and he faced a suspension from playing football for nine months.

Comeback in Australia (2007–2009)

After his time in England, Bosnich returned to Australia in 2008. He was chosen as the starting goalkeeper for the Central Coast Mariners in a pre-season cup game against Sydney FC on 27 July 2008. Bosnich did not let any goals in, and even saved a penalty. He was substituted in the 80th minute and received a standing ovation from the fans. On 19 August 2008, Bosnich signed a short-term deal with the Mariners.

Bosnich made his A-League debut with the Central Coast Mariners on 31 August 2008. This was in a 4–2 win against the Queensland Roar. After the Mariners' main goalkeeper, Danny Vukovic, returned from suspension, Bosnich did not play for them again. On 31 May 2009, it was announced that Bosnich had signed to play for Sydney Olympic for the rest of the NSW Premier League season.

Bosnich later suffered a hamstring injury. He decided to end his playing career to focus on his television work. In October 2010, it was announced that Bosnich would temporarily join the North Queensland Fury as a coach. However, the FFA did not allow this because he did not have a coaching license.

Playing for Australia

Mark Bosnich first played for the Australia national team in 1990. His first official international game was in 1993 against New Zealand. This was a qualifying match for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Bosnich also played for Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup.

He played for Australia in a very important game against Iran in 1997. This game was to qualify for the 1998 World Cup. Australia lost, which Bosnich called "the lowest moment in Australian football." Bosnich also scored a late penalty for Australia in a big 13–0 win over the Solomon Islands.

Life After Football

Mark Bosnich has been married twice. His first marriage was in 1992 to Lisa Hall. His second marriage was to Sarah Jarrett in 1999.

Bosnich now works as a football analyst and commentator for Fox Sports football shows. He used to co-host a show called Bill & Boz. In 2021, Bosnich joined Stan Sport to cover major European football competitions like the UEFA Champions League. He also works as a player agent. Bosnich trains at a boxing academy in Rockdale. He lives in Woolloomooloo with his partner Sarah Jones.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Goals

Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bosnich goal.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	11 June 1997	Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia	Solomon Islands	13–0	13–0	1998 FIFA World Cup qualification

Awards and Achievements

Aston Villa

• Football League Cup: 1993–94, 1995–96

Manchester United

• Premier League: 1999–2000
• Intercontinental Cup: 1999

Australia

• FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 1997

Individual Awards

• Oceania Footballer of the Year: 1997
• Oceania Goalkeeper of the Century: 1999

See also

In Spanish: Mark Bosnich para niños