Although there was a lot of speculation, Croatian football player Vedran Ćorluka officially announced the end of his playing career and was confirmed as the new Croatia assistant coach on Monday.
“I did not plan it, but the moment has come,” said Ćorluka at the press conference at which coach Zlatko Dalić presented the list of players for the upcoming European Championship.
Dalić introduced Corluka as a new member of the coaching staff.
“I am extremely honored that the coach invited me to help him. Two months ago, I got a call from the coach, he mentioned the idea to me, and we quickly agreed. I also talked to my teammates, and I hope I can help as I helped when I was a player,” said Ćorluka while Dalić explained his decision.
“I advocate the vision that the national team must have former players who went through the national team. I did not have that honor, but Dražen (Ladić), Vedran (Ćorluka) and Ivica (Olić) did. Their experience is important to me. I expect Vedran to point out some things to me, to think in his own way. I expect quality advice, criticism, things I don’t see,” the coach pointed out.
Ćorluka pointed out that the EURO is now in the foreground, and he also revealed his plans.
“Now the EURO is in focus, and after that, we will see. Now I see myself in that; I will enroll in a coaching academy. My former club has expressed a desire to join their staff, and that is the path I want to take,” said Ćorluka.
Ćorluka has played for Lokomotiv Moscow since 2012, and on Sunday, he played his last game.
“The last couple of weeks have been quite emotional. We won the Cup, and yesterday I played the last game for Lokomotiv and the last game of my career. It was hard yesterday, but today it was easier,” he admitted.
He also revealed when he decided to retire.
“At one point, one realizes that’s it. I didn’t plan it, but there came a moment when I decided on my own. I still enjoy football, but I think it’s time to come home, to find myself in a new role, in some new joys of life.”
When asked what grade he would give himself for his career, he was clear.
“I have never regretted some missed opportunities, so I give myself a rating of 10 out of 10,” he said with a smile.
During his career, Ćorluka played for Dinamo, Inter Zaprešić, Manchester City, Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen, and CSKA Moscow.
He won a total of ten trophies. He was the champion with Dinamo in 2006 and 2007, and he also won the Super Cup in 2006 and the Cup in 2007. In the Lokomotiv jersey, he won six trophies – the Russian Championship, four Cups, and the Russian Super Cup.
He scored four goals for Croatia in 103 games, and he had the crown of his career in 2018 in Russia, where he won world silver in the Vatreni jersey.
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