Luka Lalić Explained

Fullname:Luka Lalić
Birth Date:20 May 1987
Birth Place:Belgrade, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia
Height:1.92 m
Position:Centre back
Years1:2005–2006
Clubs1:FK Vozdovac
Caps1:6
Goals1:0
Nationalyears1:2004–2005
Nationalteam1:Serbia U17
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Currentclub:Lion City Sailors (Technical Director)
Manageryears1:2008
Managerclubs1:FK Partizan (volunteer)
Manageryears2:2008–2011
Managerclubs2:AFC (individual coach)
Manageryears3:2011–2013
Managerclubs3:Balestier Khalsa (fitness coach)
Manageryears4:2013–2014
Managerclubs4:Woodlands Wellington (assistant coach)
Manageryears5:2011–2016
Managerclubs5:Turf City (youth coach)
Manageryears6:2016–2020
Managerclubs6:Feyenoord (youth coach)
Manageryears7:2020–2022
Managerclubs7:Lion City Sailors (academy director)
Manageryears8:2022
Managerclubs8:Lion City Sailors (interim)
Manageryears9:2023-
Managerclubs9:Lion City Sailors (Technical Director)

Luka Lalić (Serbian: Лука Лалић) is a Serbian former footballer and football manager currently working as a Technical Director for Singapore Premier League club, Lion City Sailors.

Coaching career

Just after breaking into the first team of FK Vozdovac at the age of seventeen, Luka had to end his career due to heart condition. Upon recovery he focused on individual coaching, creating several training programs focused on improving players' physical capabilities. He was also a short-term volunteer coach with Partizan Belgrade.

Asia

After a few short spells across the Asian continent, Luka eventually founded the first-ever professional academy in Singapore called Turf City. Simultaneously, he was also assisting with the first team at Balestier Khalsa, winning the Singapore League Cup with the team in 2013, followed by a short spell with Woodlands Wellington between 2014 and 2016 Turf City teams traveled for various tournaments and tours across Western Europe achieving formidable results along the way. Players from Luka's development program have been picked up by professional teams such as Manchester City, Feyenoord, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and many more.

Feyenoord

During a successful Netherlands tour with Turf City in October 2016, Luka was offered a coaching internship at Feyenoord Academy by Martin van Geel, Feyenoord's technical director at the time. Eventually, he agreed to the position of international development coach with the club. About a year later, he was awarded a permanent contract and a position as head of methodology. However, Luka ended his contract in May 2020 in order to return to Asia.[1]

Lion City Sailors

In June 2020, it was announced that Luka has joined Lion City Sailors as Academy Technical Director. On 12 August 2022, he was appointed as interim head coach of the first team after head coach Kim Do-hoon left the club due to controversy.[2] The next day on his first match as a coach, Luka guided the club to a massive 10–1 victory which was the club biggest ever win in their history. In the next 2 consecutive matches, he went on to win 7–0 against Tanjong Pagar United and 9-4 against Hougang United in a away win. Subsequently, he was appointed as club's technical director at the start of 2023 season.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2020-06-10 . Football: Lion City Sailors commit $1 million into revamped youth academy The Straits Times . 2022-11-23 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
  2. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2022-08-12 . Football: Interim coach Lalic aims to steer Sailors on course; fraternity still in shock over Kim's exit The Straits Times . subscription . 2022-11-23 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
  3. Web site: Auto . Hermes . 2023-01-17 . Football: No cakewalk, but committed and adaptable Sailors’ Class of 2023 will be primed Lion City Sailors FC Official Website . 2023-01-17 . www.lioncitysailorsfc.sg . en.