Zeljko Kalac facts for kids
Kalac in 2012
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Zeljko Kalac | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 16 December 1972 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Iraq (Goalkeeping Coach) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | Sydney United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989–1995 | Sydney United | 92 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1996 | Leicester City | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1998 | Sydney United | 30 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2002 | Roda JC | 115 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Perugia | 79 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2009 | AC Milan | 38 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Kavala | 9 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Sydney United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Hobart Zebras | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 366 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–2006 | Australia | 54 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Sydney United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2023 | NK Urania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Bulls FC Academy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Sydney United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zeljko Kalac (born December 16, 1972) is an Australian soccer coach and former player. He is currently the goalkeeping coach for the Iraq national football team. Kalac is very tall, standing at 2.02 meters (about 6 feet 7 inches). This makes him the tallest player to have ever played for the Australian national football team.
Kalac played soccer for 24 years. During this time, he played for clubs in England, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece. Even though he was a goalkeeper, he often wore the number 18 jersey instead of the usual number 1. He usually wore number 18 when playing for Australia.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Australia
Zeljko Kalac grew up in Sydney, Australia. He started his professional soccer journey at Sydney United. This team played in Australia's top league at the time, the National Soccer League.
When he was just 16, Kalac joined the first team. He played his first 11 games in the 1989–90 season. This happened because the main goalkeeper, Tony Franken, was not available.
Later, another young goalkeeper, Mark Bosnich, joined the team. Kalac competed with him for a spot. Kalac became the main goalkeeper in the 1991–92 season. He helped Sydney United reach the semi-finals in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons.
Moving to Europe
In 1995, Kalac moved to Europe to play for Leicester City in England. He only played three games there. In one important match, the 1996 play-off final, he came on as a substitute. The coach hoped his height would help save penalties. However, Leicester scored a goal right after he came on, winning the game and getting promoted.
Kalac tried to move to Wolves next. But he could not get a work permit for the UK. So, he went back to Sydney United. The next season, he helped Sydney United win their league before losing in the grand final. He tried to move to England again in 1997 with Portsmouth, but again, he could not get a work permit.
Playing in the Netherlands with Roda
In 1998, Kalac signed with Roda JC in the Netherlands. He became their main goalkeeper for four years. His arrival helped the team improve a lot.
In the 1999–2000 season, he helped Roda win the KNVB Cup. Kalac considers this one of his best achievements. In the 2001–02 season, Roda played against A.C. Milan in the UEFA Cup. Kalac saved two penalties in the shootout, but Milan still won.
Time in Italy with Perugia
In 2002, Kalac joined A.C. Perugia in Italy's top league, Serie A. He quickly became their first-choice goalkeeper. He helped them win the 2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup. Kalac did not let in any goals during this competition.
The team was later moved down to a lower league, Serie B. Kalac stayed with Perugia for another season.
Playing for AC Milan
In 2005, Kalac joined AC Milan, one of the biggest clubs in Italy. He made his debut in February 2006 when the main goalkeeper, Dida, got injured. Kalac played well, keeping clean sheets in some games.
He continued to get chances to play when Dida was injured or not playing well. In March 2007, Kalac signed a new contract with Milan. He helped Milan reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. He also had some great performances in the league.
In 2008, another goalkeeper, Christian Abbiati, returned to Milan. Kalac became the third-choice goalkeeper. He left Milan in August 2009.
Final Club Years
On September 1, 2009, Kalac signed with Kavala in Greece. He played nine games for them. After the 2009–10 season, Kalac announced he was retiring from club football.
International Career
Kalac played for the Australian national team for over 14 years. For much of this time, he was a backup goalkeeper to other famous Australian keepers like Mark Bosnich and Mark Schwarzer.
He was part of Australia's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played in one important match against Croatia. Australia needed a draw to move forward in the tournament. Kalac made a mistake on a shot, which led to a goal for Croatia. Luckily, Australia scored later and got the draw they needed to advance.
Kalac announced his retirement from international soccer on October 4, 2006. He played his last game for Australia on October 7, coming off the field in the final minute.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Kalac became a goalkeeping coach.
- In August 2011, he became the goalkeeping coach for Sydney FC in Australia's A-League. He stayed there until the end of the 2014–15 season.
- In May 2015, he joined Western Sydney Wanderers, another Australian club, as their goalkeeping coach.
- In October 2017, Kalac moved to Turkey to coach at Karabükspor.
- In July 2018, he joined Melbourne City as their goalkeeping coach.
- For the 2020 season, Kalac became the manager for Sydney United 58, his former club.
- He later joined Xanthi FC in Greece as a goalkeeping coach in September 2020.
- In October 2021, Kalac became the head coach of NK Urania Baška Voda, a Croatian team. He left this role in October 2022.
- In January 2023, Kalac became the head coach for Macarthur FC Academy team, Bulls FC Academy. He left after the 2023 season.
- Kalac returned to Sydney United 58 as their head coach for the 2024 season. After leading them to the Preliminary Final, he left the club.
- In May 2025, Kalac became the goalkeeping coach for the Iraq national football team.
Personal Life
Zeljko Kalac has a daughter named Abby and a son named Oliver. Oliver is also a goalkeeper and plays for APIA Leichhardt.
Honours and Achievements
Kalac won several awards and championships during his career:
- Leicester City
- First Division play-offs: 1996 (Promoted to Premier League)
- Sydney United
- National Soccer League Premiership: 1996-97
- Roda JC
- KNVB Cup: 2000
- Perugia
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2003
- A.C. Milan
- UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
- UEFA Super Cup: 2007
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
- Australia
- FIFA Confederations Cup: Runner-up in 1997
- OFC Nations Cup: Won in 1996, 2000, and 2004
See also
In Spanish: Željko Kalac para niños
