UEFA PRO LICENCED COACH
2004. – 2007.
2007. – 2009.
2010.
2011.
2012.
2013.
2014. – 2016.
2018.
2019.
2020. – 2022.
2023.
2024. – 2026.
Date of Birth: September 3, 1968
Nationality: Croatian
Passport No: 330577015
Residence: Viškovo, Rijeka
Languages:
• English (Professional)
• Spanish (Professional)
• Croatian (Native)
Dragan Skočić is a football manager with over 20 years of experience in European and Asian football, whose work is grounded in a blend of practical field experience and continuous academic advancement.
Throughout his career, he has established himself as a professional who brings stability and measurable progress to every environment, regardless of its starting position. His approach is characterized by deep respect for the football culture of the community in which he works, combined with the implementation of modern tactical and methodological standards.
From leading national teams to club success in the Champions League, his focus remains on developing player potential and achieving sustainable results through discipline, organization, and professionalism.
Dual-Competency Academic Leadership: One of the few managers globally to hold a UEFA PRO License alongside two specialized Master’s degrees: Master of Football Coaching and Master of Sports Management. This foundation ensures a highly methodical, professional approach to team development and strategic club organization.
Elite Continental Track Record: Demonstrated success at the highest level of international football, having managed three different clubs in the AFC Champions League — including Saudi giant Al-Nassr FC, Foolad FC, and Tractor FC.
Advanced Tactical Development and Adaptation: A specialist in designing and implementing sophisticated tactical systems tailored to the specific profile of the squad. He focuses on enhancing the team’s collective tactical intelligence, ensuring a versatile and disciplined approach.
Organizational Stability and Structural Discipline: Expert in establishing clear technical and tactical frameworks that provide the team with immediate stability. By introducing disciplined professional standards, he ensures a reliable foundation for long-term competitive growth.
Cross-Cultural Leadership and Integration: Having spent nearly two decades working across diverse football landscapes, he has mastered the art of adapting his leadership style to different national mentalities, enabling successful communication and trust-building with players and management.
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb
University College of Sport Management Aspira
HNS Football Academy
Media Academy, University of Zagreb
TOPA Award (2025): Voted The best manager in the Iranian Pro League by a professional jury of coaches, captains, experts, and journalists.
IFCA Coach of the Year (2025): Club level (Tractor FC).
IFCA Coach of the Year (2021): National team level (Iran).
IFFHS World’s Best National Coach Nomination (2021):Shortlisted among elite managers ((Deschamps, Scaloni, Manchini, Martinez).
Special Achievement Award (AFC): For historical statistical records in Asian World Cup qualifications.
Official ITC No. 001: First international transfer certificate in the history of the Croatian Football Federation (HNK Rijeka -> U.D. Las Palmas, 1992).
Clubs: HNK Rijeka (Croatia), S.D. Compostela (Spain), U.D. Las Palmas (Spain), Ittihad Kalba (UAE).
