| Velimir Crljen | |
| Fullname: | Velimir Crljen |
| Birth Date: | 1966 7, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | SFR Yugoslavia |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Years1: | 1992 |
| Caps1: | 1 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 1993 |
| Years3: | 1994 |
| Caps3: | 5 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Years4: | 1996–1998 |
| Years5: | 2000 |
| Years6: | 2001 |
| Years7: | 2002–2006 |
| Manageryears1: | 2000 |
| Managerclubs1: | Toronto Croatia (player/coach) |
| Manageryears2: | 2003 |
| Managerclubs2: | Toronto Croatia (player/coach) |
| Manageryears3: | 2005 |
| Managerclubs3: | Toronto Croatia (player/coach) |
| Manageryears4: | 2009 |
| Manageryears5: | 2011–2015 |
| Managerclubs5: | Toronto Croatia |
Velimir Crljen (born 23 July 1966) is a Croatian retired 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.
Crljen played with HNK Šibenik of the Croatian First Football League in 1992.[1] In 1993, he played abroad in the Canadian National Soccer League with Toronto Croatia.[2] The following season played in the American Professional Soccer League with the Toronto Rockets. He made his debut on 8 July 1994 against Seattle Sounders.[3] 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.[4] During his tenure with SAFFC he won the three league titles, Singapore Cup, and the Singapore FA Cup.[5]
In 2000, he returned to Canada in the role of player/coach for Toronto Croatia in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.[6] Crljen managed to achieve a CPSL Championship after defeating the Toronto Olympians.[7] After a one-year absence he returned to Singapore to sign with Jurong FC.[8] [9] In 2002, he permanently returned to Toronto Croatia, where he would eventually make the full transition from a player to a manager.[10] He won his second CPSL Championship as a player in 2004.[11]
In 2003, he resumed his dual role of player/coach for Toronto.[12] 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.[13] In 2009, he fully retired from competitive soccer and returned to managing Toronto Croatia, where he was dismissed at the conclusion of the season.[14] He returned in 2011 to lead Croatia to a championship, and followed by a double in 2012.[15] [16] In 2012, he was recognized by the league with the Coach of the Year award.[17] He added another championship title in 2015, making Crljen one of the most successful managers in CPSL/CSL history.[18] [19]