:Branko Ivanković

Ivanković spent his entire 12-season playing career at Varteks, appearing in a total of 263 matches{{cite web|url=http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/ivankovic-za-index-spreman-sam-radim-taj-posao-12-godina/322263.aspx|title=Ivanković za Index: Spreman sam, radim taj posao 12 godina|work=Index.hr|date=16 July 2006|language=hr|access-date=13 September 2011|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041757/http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/ivankovic-za-index-spreman-sam-radim-taj-posao-12-godina/322263.aspx|url-status=live}} and scoring 31 goals.{{cn|date=March 2024}} He then continued to work at the club by first being their secretary and then starting his coaching career.

Ivanković then became an assistant manager to Miroslav Blažević, who led the Croatia national team to a sensational third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup finals in France.{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_iran-s-former-football-coach-branko-ivankovic-takes-over-at-shandong_1324624|title=Iran's former football coach Branko Ivankovic takes over at Shandong|date=17 December 2009|work=Daily News and Analysis|agency=Reuters|access-date=6 September 2011|archive-date=5 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005131749/http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_iran-s-former-football-coach-branko-ivankovic-takes-over-at-shandong_1324624|url-status=live}}

In the 1999–2000 season, he coached German club Hannover 96, which was playing in the 2. Bundesliga at the time. He briefly returned to the Croatia national team as the assistant to Mirko Jozić during the qualifications for the 2002 World Cup, before he took over the Iran national team, where he replaced Blažević, who had managed them since 2001.

Ivanković was appointed to the head of the Iranian team on 29 January 2002. Under Ivanković, Iran's U23 football team won the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan.{{cite web | url = http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/ivankovic-ponovno-izbornik-irana/162120.aspx | language = hr | title = Ivanković ponovno izbornik Irana | publisher = Index.hr | date = 1 October 2003 | access-date = 13 September 2011 | archive-date = 13 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160556/https://www.index.hr/Sport/clanak/ivankovic-ponovno-izbornik-irana/162120.aspx | url-status = live }} He remained the coach of the national team until the end of 2002, when he was replaced by Homayun Shahrokhi.

File:Branko Ivanković in friendly against Paykan.jpg

Ivanković had become very popular in Iran and the public media demanded a contract renewal, but the Football Federation was initially reluctant to appoint him as the head coach. Finally after a period of negotiations he was reappointed as the head coach of Iran on 3 October 2003.

Ivanković led Iran to 2004 AFC Asian Cup third place.{{cite web | url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/worldcup2006/groups/teams/iran.html | title = Iran – Group D | publisher = CBC.ca | work = World Cup 2006 | access-date = 13 September 2011 | archive-date = 10 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121110104550/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/worldcup2006/groups/teams/iran.html | url-status = live }}

Ivanković also led Iran to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, the third time in the country's history (they had previously been eliminated in the first round in 1978 and 1998).

Iran, at their opening game at the World Cup, matched evenly against Mexico in the first half, but conceded two goals in the second. The second match against Portugal was not successful either, with Iran conceding two late goals to lose 2–0 and being left without any chances of advancing to the second stage of the tournament, as Mexico drew against Angola on the previous evening and left Iran unreachable four points behind. So, the third group match against Angola became insignificant for Iran. Angola put themselves into the lead with the opening goal after one hour of playing. The Iranians managed to equalise fifteen minutes later, eventually scoring their only point at the 2006 World Cup since the match ended in a 1–1 draw. This point was, however, only enough for Iran to occupy the last place in their group.

After the World Cup, MPE removed the Head of the Football Federation of Iran, replacing Ivanković with Amir Qalenoei.{{cite news | url = http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060718/sport/iran-replace-ivankovic-with-league-winner.47296 | title = Iran replace Ivankovic with league winner | agency = Reuters | newspaper = The Times (Malta) | date = 18 June 2006 | access-date = 13 September 2011 | archive-date = 21 May 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150521181537/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060718/sport/iran-replace-ivankovic-with-league-winner.47296 | url-status = live }} This in turn resulted a FIFA suspension for Iran's football due to political interference.{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/administration/news/newsid=107889.html | title = FIFA suspends Iran Football Federation | date = 23 November 2006 | publisher = FIFA.com | access-date = 13 September 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081026072342/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/administration/news/newsid%3D107889.html | archive-date = 26 October 2008 | df = dmy-all }}

On 6 November 2006, Ivanković replaced Josip Kuže as the head coach of Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. He led the club to the Double in 2007 without losing a single competitive match. On 14 January 2008, he resigned as the coach of Dinamo Zagreb, mostly due to his differences with the club's executive vice-president Zdravko Mamić.{{cite web|title=Zdravko Mamić izvrijeđao i otjerao Branka Ivankovića!|date=24 November 2008 |url=http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/zdravko-mamic-izvrijeao-i-otjerao-branka-ivankovica-90349|language=hr|access-date=8 September 2011|archive-date=22 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522040846/http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/zdravko-mamic-izvrijeao-i-otjerao-branka-ivankovica-90349|url-status=live}}

Ivanković returned as the manager of Dinamo Zagreb on 21 May 2008. He replaced Zvonimir Soldo, who resigned immediately after Dinamo won the domestic double.{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=537480&cc=5901|title=Ivankovic returns as Dinamo Zagreb coach|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=21 May 2008|access-date=21 May 2008|archive-date=4 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004212227/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=537480&cc=5901|url-status=dead}}

In July 2009, Ivanković was offered the role of Persepolis manager in Iran, but he rejected the offer.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/nl/news/1067/azi%C3%AB/2009/07/12/1377738/ook-rijsbergen-in-beeld-bij-persepolis|title=Ook Rijsbergen in beeld bij Persepolis|language=nl|publisher=Goal.Com|date=12 July 2009|access-date=17 July 2009|archive-date=1 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001081825/http://www.goal.com/nl/news/1067/azi%C3%AB/2009/07/12/1377738/ook-rijsbergen-in-beeld-bij-persepolis|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=198724|title=Croatia's Branko snubs Persepolis F.C. offer|publisher=Tehran Times|date=13 July 2009|access-date=17 July 2009|archive-date=26 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026162900/http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=198724|url-status=live}}

On 17 December 2009, Ivanković was appointed as the new head coach of Chinese giant Shandong Luneng. In his first season, he led the team to the 2010 Chinese Super League winners with a record 63 points. The team secured the qualification for 2011 AFC Champions League, but Shandong were eliminated in the first round with 7 points. Due to poor result in the Champions League, he was dismissed on 10 May 2011, seven days before crucial game with Cerezo Osaka, which they lost by a score of 0–4.

On 22 July 2011, Ivanković signed a one-year contract with Ettifaq to lead the club in the 2011–12 Saudi Professional League and return club to the AFC Champions League.{{Cite web |url=http://www.alriyadh.com/652886 |title=Branko Ivanković becomes head coach of Saudi Al-Itifaq FC |access-date=5 June 2019 |archive-date=5 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605144521/http://www.alriyadh.com/652886 |url-status=live }} He was sacked on 29 April 2012 after finishing the 2011–12 season in fourth.{{cite news|title=Branko Ivanković Sacked From Ettifaq FC And May Join Al Wahda|url=http://kabirnews.com/branko-ivankovic-sacked-from-ettifaq-fc-and-may-join-al-wahda/1786/|publisher=Kabir News|access-date=1 May 2012|archive-date=21 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521070859/http://kabirnews.com/branko-ivankovic-sacked-from-ettifaq-fc-and-may-join-al-wahda/1786/|url-status=dead}}

In May 2012, UAE Pro-League side Al-Wahda said it signed a two-year contract with Ivanković and that he would take charge at the club in the 2012–13 season, but his contract was terminated on 27 April 2013, after a 3–4 loss to Ajman Club.{{cite web|title=الوحدة يقيل برانكو|url=https://www.emaratalyoum.com/sports/local/2013-04-27-1.569729|language=ar|date=27 April 2013|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607134522/https://www.emaratalyoum.com/sports/local/2013-04-27-1.569729|url-status=live}} At the time of his dismissal, Al Wahda was ranked at the 7th place.

On 2 September 2013, Ivanković returned to Dinamo Zagreb, the club he led from 2006 to 2008. However, he was sacked on 21 October 2013, after just five games.{{cite web|title=Dinamo turn to familiar face of Ivanković|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/020d-0e85f772e056-288b8ac2b4b5-1000--dinamo-turn-to-familiar-face-of-ivankovic/|website=UEFA|date=2 September 2013|access-date=21 September 2013|archive-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012142715/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1989926.html|url-status=live}}

File:Branko Ivanković in Persepolis training, 3 October 2015.jpg, 3 October 2015]]

On 5 April 2015, Ivanković was confirmed as the new manager of Persepolis, signing a {{frac|1|1|2}}-year contract with the club.{{cite web |title=Persepolis bring Croat Ivankovic back to Iran |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/news/_n1510314_/persepolis-bring-croat-ivankovic-back-to-iran/ |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214141523/https://www.worldfootball.net/news/_n1510314_/persepolis-bring-croat-ivankovic-back-to-iran/ |url-status=live }} After good performances with the club, which left the team in the first place with six matches remaining, Ivanković extended his contract with Persepolis in April 2016 to the end of the 2017–18 season and in 2017 to the end of the 2019–20 season. After the end of the 2018–19 season, it was reported that he was signed for Ahli Jeddah{{cite web|title=الأهلي يتفق مع المدرب الكرواتي برانكو|url=http://www.alriyadh.com/1759412|website=جريدة الرياض|language=ar|access-date=12 June 2019|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609151228/https://www.alriyadh.com/1759412|url-status=live}} before returning to Croatia for his annual vacation. Ivanković announced that he will leave Persepolis on 11 June 2019.{{cite web|title=Ivanković: "Iako sam siguran da će Persepolis isplatiti sve što duguje, napuštam Iran ovog ljeta"|url=https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/524739/nogomet-reprezentacija/ivankovic-iako-sam-siguran-da-ce-persepolis-isplatiti-sve-sto-duguje-napustam-iran-ovog-ljeta/|website=Sportnet|language=hr|access-date=12 June 2019|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020032032/https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/524739/nogomet-reprezentacija/ivankovic-iako-sam-siguran-da-ce-persepolis-isplatiti-sve-sto-duguje-napustam-iran-ovog-ljeta/|url-status=live}}

On 18 June 2019, he was confirmed signing a two-year contract with Al-Ahli.{{cite web |last1=Club |first1=Al-Ahli Saudi |title=Branko Ivankovic is the new manager of the first football team after signing a 2-year contract |url=https://twitter.com/ALAHLI_FCEN/status/1141067489536880640 |date=18 June 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108003228/https://twitter.com/ALAHLI_FCEN/status/1141067489536880640 |url-status=live }} On 16 September 2019, Ivanković was officially sacked after just five games due to poor results.{{cite web|last1=Club|first1=Al-Ahli Saudi|title=Al-Ahli terminates Ivankovic's contract|url=https://twitter.com/ALAHLI_FCEN/status/1173672118254526471|website=@ALAHLI_FCEN|date=16 September 2019|access-date=17 September 2019|archive-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916185832/https://twitter.com/ALAHLI_FCEN/status/1173672118254526471|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Službeno: Branko Ivanković dobio otkaz na klupi saudijskog prvoligaša|url=https://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/sluzbeno-branko-ivankovic-dobio-otkaz-na-klupi-saudijskog-prvoligasa/2116797.aspx|website=www.index.hr|language=hr|access-date=17 September 2019|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923055105/https://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/sluzbeno-branko-ivankovic-dobio-otkaz-na-klupi-saudijskog-prvoligasa/2116797.aspx|url-status=live}}

On 19 January 2020, Ivanković was announced as the head coach of the Oman national team to succeed Erwin Koeman after the latter's dismissal.{{cite web |title=Croatian Branko Ivankovic is the new Oman coach |url=https://timesofoman.com/article/2592961/Sports/Football/Croatian-Branko-Ivankovic-is-the-new-Oman-coach |website=Times of Oman |date=19 January 2020 |access-date=19 January 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307012003/https://timesofoman.com/article/2592961/Sports/Football/Croatian-Branko-Ivankovic-is-the-new-Oman-coach |url-status=live }} Under Ivanković, Oman pulled off a historic win over Japan in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.{{cite web |title=Oman optimistic of building on shock success |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/oman-optimistic-of-building-on-shock-success |publisher=FIFA |date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195342/https://www.fifa.com/news/oman-optimistic-of-building-on-shock-success |url-status=live }} In December 2021, he extended his contract with Oman until 2023.{{cite tweet|user=OmanFA|number=1470733967586435074|title=مجلس إدارة الاتحاد العماني لكرة القدم يجدد تعاقده مع الكرواتي برانكو إيفانكوفيتش لمدة عامين.|date=14 December 2021}}

Following Oman's group stage exit from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup without a single win, Ivanković was sacked by the Oman Football Association.{{cite tweet|user=OmanFA|number=1750575141719830591|title=اتحاد القدم يبلغ المدرب الكرواتي برانكو إيفانكوفيتش بعدم الرغبة في التجديد معه.|date=25 January 2024}}

On 24 February 2024, Ivanković was announced as the head coach of China national football team, replacing former Yugoslav compatriot Aleksandar Janković.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecfa.cn/zhongguozhidui/20240224/33755.html|title=伊万科维奇出任中国国家男子足球队主教练|publisher=Chinese Football Association|date=24 February 2024|access-date=24 February 2024|language=zh}}

Branko is the younger brother of Zlatko Ivanković, who has also coached various teams in the Middle East.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/419413/Branko-Ivankovic-s-brother-appointed-Persepolis-coach|title=Branko Ivankovic's brother appointed Persepolis coach|date=17 December 2017|access-date=19 July 2021|archive-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225102756/http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/419413/Branko-Ivankovic-s-brother-appointed-Persepolis-coach|url-status=live}}

{{updated|match played 25 March 2025|{{cite web |title=Branko Ivanković |url=https://hrnogomet.com/uefa/trener.php?id=114&stranica=1&lang=en |website=hrnogomet.com}}}}{{Cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/teams/oman/oman/1615/matches/ |title=Oman – Matches |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206215321/https://int.soccerway.com/teams/oman/oman/1615/matches/ |url-status=live }}

Iran U23

• Asian Games Gold Medal: 2002

Iran

• WAFF Championship: 2004
• AFC/OFC Cup Challenge: 2003

Dinamo Zagreb

• Croatian First League: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Croatian Cup: 2006–07
• Croatian Super Cup: 2006

Shandong Luneng

• Chinese Super League: 2010

File:Branko Ivanković at IFF's annual awards ceremony 01.jpg best manager award]]

Persepolis

• Persian Gulf Pro League: 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, runner-up: 2015–16
• Hazfi Cup: 2018–19
• Iranian Super Cup: 2017, 2018, 2019
• AFC Champions League runner-up: 2018

Individual

• HNS Croatian Coach of the Year: 2007, 2008
• Chinese Football Association Coach of the Year: 2010
• Persian Gulf Pro League Coach of the Season: 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19

{{commons}}

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{{succession box|title=Iran Pro League Winning Manager|before= Abdollah Veisi|after= Yahya Golmohammadi|years=2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19}}

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{{Current managers of AFC national teams}}

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{{Asian Games men's football winning managers}}

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{{Iran squad 2004 AFC Asian Cup}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ivanković, Branko}}

Category:1954 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Čakovec

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Yugoslav men's footballers

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