Ruben Zadkovich

Ruben Anton Zadkovich (, ; born 23 May 1986) is an Australian football manager and former player who is the head coach at Brisbane Roar. He played for six clubs in a career that spanned between England and Australia. Zadkovich was also capped for Australia, representing the Socceroos on three occasions.

Club career

Born in Fairfield, Sydney, New South Wales, Zadkovich had previously played for English Football League club Notts County, scoring on his debut against Chester City, as well as Queens Park Rangers and Australian side Wollongong Wolves. He has also made several appearances for the Young Socceroos, most notably at the FIFA World Youth Championship.

Sydney FC

Following his time in England, Zadkovich returned to Australia in late 2005 and trialled for Sydney FC. He travelled with the squad to the FIFA Club World Championship and despite not making an appearance he impressed coach Littbarski, being called in as a short-term replacement for injured Ufuk Talay late in the season. After a 12th-minute debut off the bench against Queensland Roar, Zadkovich scored on his first start, against Perth Glory, during Sydney's run to the inaugural A-League championship, earning him a two-year full-time contract. He was allowed to leave the club in March 2008.

Derby County

On 17 April 2008, it was revealed Zadkovich had signed a two-year deal with English club Derby County, although his registration was unable to be completed before 1 July. Zadkovich made his Derby debut as a second-half substitute against Norwich City at Pride Park in October 2008, in a match which Derby won 3–1. He struggled with injuries during his time at Derby and, after seven appearances for the club, cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 23 January 2010.

Newcastle Jets

On 6 April 2010, Zadkovich confirmed that he had signed a three-year contract with the Newcastle Jets which would see him return to play his football in Australia. Zadkovich played 97 games over four seasons with the Jets. He was appointed captain in his third season and led the team until he was recruited by Perth Glory in 2014.

Perth Glory

On 29 May 2014, Zadkovich received an early release from Newcastle Jets and signed with Perth Glory.
On 15 November 2014, Zadkovich made his debut, coming on as a substitute against Western Sydney Wanderers. On 22 November 2014, Zadkovich came on as a substitute against Wellington Phoenix in the 61st minute but was sent off after seventeen seconds due to a two-footed tackle. On 8 May 2016, after not playing a single match in the season due to injury, Zadkovich retired from playing football.

International career

Zadkovich made his debut for Australia at right-back in the last home game of the first round of the 2010 World Cup qualifications, against China, at ANZ Stadium on 22 June 2008. He took part in the 2008 Olympics with Australia. He scored from close range in a 1–1 draw with Serbia, Australia's only goal in an unsuccessful campaign.

Managerial career

Broadmeadow Magic

Zadkovich's first foray as a club manager arose when he was announced as the manager for Football Northern New South Wales club Broadmeadow Magic.

Hills United

Zadkovich was appointed manager of Hills United in September 2020, leaving the role one month later.

Perth Glory

Zadkovich was appointed assistant manager of Perth Glory in October 2020. In March 2022, he was named interim head coach of the Glory following the departure of Richard Garcia. The 2021–22 season ended with Glory finishing bottom of the A-league table for the first time in their history. He was appointed as permanent head coach in May 2022.

During the 2022–23 season, news surfaced that Zadkovich had punched midfielder Giordano Colli during training, with the coach moving quickly to dispel any notion of a rift.

Zadkovich departed Perth Glory after his first full season in charge, following a ninth-placed finish.

Brisbane Roar

In January 2024, Brisbane Roar appointed Zadkovich as assistant to Ben Cahn for the remainder of the 2023–24 season. On 1 February 2024, Cahn went on long-term medical leave due to thyroid cancer and throat surgery. The club elected to elevate Zadkovich to the head coach position. He managed the Brisbane Roar team that toured to India and took part in 2024 Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy.

The start to the 2024/25 season was a disaster with Zadkovich leading Roar to a new club record of 13 games without a win and broke the New Zealand Knights record for consecutive home defeats when they lost at home for the 8th consecutive time to Newcastle Jets

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Sydney FC
*A-League Championship: 2005–06

Australia U20
*OFC U-20 Championship: 2005

Manager

Broadmeadow Magic
*National Premier Leagues Northern NSW Championship: 2018

References

External links

Newcastle Jets


*

FFA – Olyroo profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zadkovich, Ruben
1986 births
Living people
Soccer players from Sydney
Australian men's soccer players
Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Australia men's international soccer players
Olympic soccer players for Australia
Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Men's association football midfielders
Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Notts County F.C. players
Sydney FC players
Derby County F.C. players
Newcastle Jets FC players
English Football League players
A-League Men players
Australian people of Croatian descent
National Premier Leagues managers
Australian soccer managers
Perth Glory FC managers
Brisbane Roar FC managers
Sportsmen from New South Wales
Australian expatriate sportspeople in England
21st-century Australian sportsmen
Expatriate men's footballers in England