Velimir Zajec

Infobox Football biography
playername = Velimir Zajec


fullname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1956|2|12
cityofbirth = Zagreb,
SR Croatia
countryofbirth = SFR Yugoslavia
height =
position = Defensive Midfielder
currentclub =
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1974–1984 1984–1988
clubs = NK Dinamo Zagreb
Panathinaikos FC
caps(goals) = 238 0(13)
67 0(11)
nationalyears = 1977–1988
nationalteam = SFR Yugoslavia
nationalcaps(goals) = 036 00(1)
manageryears = 1996–1997 1997–1998 2004–2005
managerclubs = Panathinaikos FC NK Dinamo Zagreb Portsmouth F.C.

Velimir Zajec (born February 12, 1956 in Zagreb, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a former football player.

Zajec began his career at Dinamo Zagreb in 1974 aged 18. During 10 years at the club he helped them to two domestic cup wins, as well as the league title, their first title honour in 24 years. He then transferred to Greek club Panathinaikos, for whom he was tremendously successful, and played over 100 games.

His performances at club level had seen Zajec capped by Yugoslavia, whom he represented 40 times, many as captain.

Following retirement he spent two years (1989-1991) as 'Director of Football' at former club Dinamo Zagreb, before returning to Panathinaikos to run their academy. Before long he was promoted to head coach of the club. After a period he again returned to Zagreb, this time as head coach, before moving once more back to Panathinaikos in 2002 to become 'Director of Football'. In 1998, he led Dinamo in three matches of the UEFA Champions League and remained undefeated with two wins and a draw. Dinamo nevertheless did not manage to advance to the quarterfinals after finishing second in their group (only first-place finisher advanced at the time).

In 2004, he moved to English club Portsmouth F.C. to take up a position as executive director. He took over as temporary team manager following the resignation of Harry Redknapp in November 2004 and was confirmed as the new manager on December 21, 2004. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4111337.stm Zajec named as Pompey boss] , BBC Sport, 21 December, 2004] Five months later he reverted to his intended director's role, following the arrival of Alain Perrin. He resigned from his position at Fratton Park on October 10, 2005 due to personal reasons. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4322092.stm Zajec resigns from Portsmouth job] , BBC Sport, 10 October 2005]

He is referred by Panathinaikos fans as the "Rabbit".

References

External links

* [http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=20666 Career]