Velimir Crljen
![]() Crljen in 2011 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Velimir Crljen | ||
Date of birth | July 23, 1966 | ||
Place of birth | SFR Yugoslavia | ||
Playing position | Midfielder | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1992 | HNK Šibenik | 1 | (0) |
1994 | Toronto Rockets | 5 | (1) |
1996–1998 | Singapore Armed Forces FC | ||
2000 | Toronto Croatia | ||
2001 | Jurong FC | ||
2002–2006 | Toronto Croatia | ||
Teams managed | |||
2000 | Toronto Croatia (player/coach) | ||
2003 | Toronto Croatia (player/coach) | ||
2005 | Toronto Croatia (player/coach) | ||
2009 | Toronto Croatia | ||
2011–2015 | Toronto Croatia | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Velimir Crljen is a Croatian former footballer and manager who played in the Croatian First Football League, American Professional Soccer League, Canadian Professional Soccer League, and S.League. He also had several notable terms as a manager for Toronto Croatia in the CPSL/CSL.
Playing career
Crljen played with HNK Šibenik of the Croatian First Football League in 1992.[1] In 1994, he went abroad to play in the American Professional Soccer League with the Toronto Rockets. He made his debut on July 8, 1994 against Seattle Sounders.[2] In 1996, he played in the newly formed S.League with the Singapore Armed Forces FC, where he formed an instrumental triumvirate with fellow Croatian imports Ivica Raguz, and Jure Ere.[3] During his tenure with SAFFC he won the three league titles, Singapore Cup, and the Singapore FA Cup.[4]
In 2000, he returned to Canada in the role of player/coach for Toronto Croatia in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.[5] Crljen managed to achieve a CPSL Championship after defeating the Toronto Olympians.[6] After a one year absence he returned to Singapore to sign with Jurong FC.[7][8] In 2002, he permanently returned to Toronto Croatia, where he would eventually make the full transition from a player to a manager.[9] He won his second CPSL Championship as a player in 2004.[10]
Managerial career
In 2003, he resumed his dual role of player/coach for Toronto.[11] After a year sabbatical from coaching he returned to manage in 2005, and was named the head coach for the 2006 CSL All-Star team.[12] In 2009, he fully retired from competitive soccer and returned to managing Toronto Croatia, where he was dismissed at the conclusion of the season.[13] He returned in 2011 to lead Croatia to a championship, and followed by a double in 2012.[14][15] In 2012, he was recognized by the league with the Coach of the Year award.[16] He added another championship title in 2015, making Crljen one of the most successfully managers in CPSL/CSL history.[17]
Honours
Player
- Singapore Armed Forces FC
- S.League (2): 1997, 1998
- Singapore FA Cup (1): 1997
- Singapore Cup (1): 1999
- Toronto Croatia
- CPSL Championship (2): 2000, 2004
Managerial
- Toronto Croatia
- CSL Championship (3): 2011, 2012, 2015
- Canadian Soccer League Regular Season Champions (1): 2012
References
- ↑ "Velimir Crljen". hrnogomet.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "July 8, 1994". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "S-league: Facts & Figures". Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "S-league 1999 season". s-leaguefootball.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "Canadian Professional Soccer League". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 1, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "Match Number: 019". www.geocities.ws. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "2001 - Mar. 14 - Croatia on the move; Crijen overseas; Windsor gets game". 2003-01-04. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
- ↑ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". 2002-12-25. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 11, 2004 CPSL Rogers Cup Final Vaughan Shooters vs Toronto Croatia (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "October 1, 2003 CPSL Toronto Croatia vs Brampton (League decision)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "May 7, 2006 CPSL All-Stars vs Clyde FC (Scotlanc) (from CPSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ Gossai, Amit (2010-05-17). "Toronto Croatia opener delayed | Mississauga.com". Mississauga.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "Canadian Soccer League". 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "October 27, 2012 CSL Final--Toronto Croatia vs Montreal Impact Academy (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ "November 15, 2011--Toronto Croatia's Tihomir Maletic MVP For Second Year...Annual Award Winners Announced Sunday (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ↑ Adamson, Stan. "TORONTO CROATIA WIN A SQUEAKER FOR CSL CHAMPIONSHIP….Milton score Second Division victory | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 2017-08-29.