IVANKOVIC

Qatar 2022

Having coached several clubs in IR Iran, China PR and Saudi Arabia, the Croatian Branko Ivankovic was already an established name in Asian football before taking the helm of the Omani national team at the beginning of this year.

Now he is hoping to draw on his extensive experience to lead Oman to a maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ - coping along the way with the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lack of international matches.

Ivankovic has enjoyed considerable success over the years. As assistant to Miroslav Blazevic, he helped Croatia to third place at France 1998 then led IR Iran to Germany 2006. At club level, he has also picked up silverware in Croatia, China and Iran.

In conversation with FIFA.com, Ivankovic spoke about the difference between coaching clubs and national teams, his new challenge with Oman, his experience coaching IR Iran at Germany 2006, and the success enjoyed by Croatia at France 1998 and Russia 2018.