Željko Babić (handballer) explained

Željko Babić
Birth Date:19 May 1972
Birth Place:Metković, SR Croatia,
SFR Yugoslavia
Nationality:Croatian
Position:Right wing
Currentclub:Olympiacos (manager)
Youthyears1:1982–1988
Youthclubs1:RK PIK Neretva Opuzen
Youthyears2:1988–1989
Youthclubs2:Badel 1862 Zagreb
Years1:1988–1994
Clubs1:Badel 1862 Zagreb
Years2:1994–1998
Clubs2:RK Metković Razvitak
Years3:1998–2001
Clubs3:ALPI Pallamano Prato
Years4:2001–2003
Clubs4:RK Metković Jambo
Years5:2003–2004
Clubs5:Gammadue Secchia
Years6:2004–2005
Clubs6:A.S. Pallamano Secchia
Years7:2005–2006
Clubs7:RK Jelsa
Manageryears1:2007–2008
Managerclubs1:RA Balić-Metličić
Manageryears2:2008–2009
Managerclubs2:RK Metković
Manageryears3:2009
Managerclubs3:RK Krško
Manageryears4:2009–2011
Managerclubs4:RK EMC Split
Manageryears5:2010–2013
Managerclubs5:Croatia (assistant)
Manageryears6:2013–2015
Managerclubs6:HC Meshkov Brest
Manageryears7:2015–2017
Manageryears8:2017–2018
Manageryears9:2020–2022
Manageryears10:2022–2023
Managerclubs10:RK Podravka Koprivnica
Manageryears11:2024–

Željko Babić (born 19 May 1972) is a Croatian retired handball player and current coach of Olympiacos.

Playing career

Babić had played for the following clubs: RK PIK Neretva Opuzen, Badel 1862 Zagreb, Razvitak Metković, Secchia and Pallamano Prato, and RK Jelsa. He retired from playing professional handball in 2006.

Coaching career

Babić worked as an assistant coach under the coaching staff of Slavko Goluža in the Croatian national team, winning bronze medals at the 2012 European Championship, 2012 Summer Olympics and at the 2013 World Championship, and the silver medal at the 2013 Mediterranean Games.

On 27 February 2015, he was appointed as the head coach of the Croatian national team, leading the team at the 2016 European Championship, 2016 Summer Olympics and at the 2017 World Championship.[1] On 30 January 2017, it was reported that Babić was sacked as the head coach of the national team of Croatia due to a poor run of results and finishing fourth in the World Championship finals held in January in France.

Following the 2017–18 season, Babić was named the head coach of Slovenian club RK Gorenje Velenje. He parted ways with the club in May 2018.

On 9 January 2020, he was appointed as the head coach of RK Eurofarm Pelister in North Macedonia.[2]

Personal life

Babić was born in Metković in the family of mother Nedjeljka and father Ante Babić. He has brother Ivica who is a priest, and a sister. He married his wife Katarina Vukoja, with whom he has three children: twins Greta and Ivan, and a daughter Anđa.[3]

Honours

Player

Badel 1862 Zagreb

1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94

1992, 1993, 1994

1988–89, 1990–91

1991

1991–92, 1992–93

1993

RK Metković

2002

Pallamano Prato

Head coach

Meshkov Brest

2013–14, 2014–15

Croatia
Macedonia

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Men's EHF Euro 2016 Poland. Croatia . . 23 January 2016 .
  2. News: Željko Babić novi trener Eurofarma . www.balkan-handball.com . 19 January 2020.
  3. News: Radoš, Ivica . Kao dječak bježao je kroz prozor na treninge, a na zalasku karijere prodavao je automobile . . 7 February 2016 . 19 December 2020 . hr.