NK Osijek

Association football club in Croatia

Football club

Osijek

Full name| Nogometni klub Osijek

(Osijek Football Club)
Nickname(s)| Bijelo-plavi (The White and blues)
Short name| OSI
Founded| 27 February 1947; 78 years ago (1947-02-27)
Ground| Opus Arena
Capacity| 13,005
Owner| NK OS d.o.o.
President| Ferenc Sakalj
Manager| Simon Rožman
League| Croatian Football League
2024–25| Croatian Football League, 7th of 10
Website| www.nk-osijek.hr
Current season

Nogometni klub Osijek (English: Osijek Football Club), commonly referred to as NK Osijek (Croatian pronunciation: [ôsijeːk]), is a Croatian professional football club from Osijek. Founded in 1947, it was the club from Slavonia with the most seasons in the Yugoslav First League and, after the independence of Croatia in 1992, it is one of the four clubs that have never been relegated from the Croatian First League, the others being Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split and Rijeka.

## History

[edit]

### 1947–1976

[edit]

The precursor to NK Osijek was founded on 27 February 1945 as NK Udarnik on the tradition of banned JŠK Slavija Osijek, which was founded in 1916 and played in the first jugoslav league 7 times between 1923 and 1941. Already in 1946, the club is merged with Jedinstvo, and changes its name to NK Slavonija. The conventional birthday of the club is considered to be the following year on the February 27, 1947, when NK Slavonija and Nk Bratstvo merge to form the FK Proleter.[1] The first match played under that name comes the 16th of March of that same year, when Proleter beats city-rivals Mladost by five goals to nil. The first competition in which the club participated in was the Osječko Okružno Prvenstvo, along with four other teams. The club got into the second national league soon after. Proleter achieved placement into the Yugoslav First League in 1953, having won the so-called Croato-Slovenian League. The best players from that side were Andrija Vekić, Franjo Rupnik, Dionizije Dvornić and Franjo Majer. Proleter played in the First League for three seasons, but were then relegated to the second division.

Proleter moved to current Gradski vrt stadium in autumn 1958 and changed its name to Slavonija as part of the unifying process of the boxing, athletics and Olympic lifting club in a newly founded sports association in 1962. It still plays in the second league. Five years later the association is disbanded and the club took on the name NK Osijek. The then-colours red and blue were switched to current colours blue and white.

In 1970, Osijek wins the 2nd North League championship, however, Borac Banja Luka beat them in the promotion play-offs. A year later, Bijelo-plavi try for promotion again, winning in a penalty shoot-out against Rijeka, but end up being stopped by Vardar.

The next time Osijek reached the promotion play-offs was in 1973. NK Osijek made it to the final round, beating FC Prishtina. Following their victory, NK Osijek was set to meet NK Zagreb at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. A record-breaking 64,129 tickets were sold with approximately 20,000 of them going to Osijek supporters. NK Zagreb proved victorious on the day, winning via a penalty shoot-out following a 2–2 draw after 90 minutes, Osijek denied promotion for a third time in four years.

### 1977–1991

[edit]

In 1977, NK Osijek finally secured its return to the top flight by taking out the league championship.

NK Osijek managed to stay competitive in the Yugoslav League up until the Croatian War of Independence, except for the season of 1979–80, when Osijek fought back into the premier league after failing to stay in it. The club was present in the second part of the First League ladder in the 80s, except for 1984, when the team placed 6th, headed by Davidović, Lulić, Džeko, Lepinjica, Rakela, Karačić and the team captain Kalinić. In 1989, the team placed 8th with Davor Šuker leading the line for the side scoring 18 goals, taking out the league's best goalscorer award. Šuker is the only player in NK Osijek history to take out the award. During the last season of the YFL, NK Osijek finished ninth.

### 1992–1999

[edit]

After the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia, the Croatian First Football League was formed and the first season was played in 1992. Due to the war, it was a shortened season played from February to June. NK Osijek was unable to play in Osijek due to the war, so they had to play in the cities of Đakovo, Donji Miholjac and Kutjevo. Osijek finished the 1992 Croatian First League season in 3rd placed, six points behind NK Zagreb and nine behind league champions Hajduk Split. Osijek's top goalscorer was Robert Špehar, who finished the season with nine goals.

NK Osijek quickly became one of the top 4 Croatian football teams. One of Osijek's best ever seasons came in the 1994–95. The Bijelo plavi finished in third place, only six points behind first-placed Hajduk. Špehar scored 23 goals to become the league's top goalscorer. The greats of NK Osijek during that time were–a part from Špehar–Žitnjak, Lulić, Beljan, Ergović, Rupnik, Beširević, Bičanić and Labak.

As a result of the third-placed finish, NK Osijek qualified for the 1995–96 UEFA Cup. Osijek faced Slovan Bratislava in the preliminary round, going down 6–0.

Osijek finished third in the 1997–98 Croatian First League, qualifying for the 1998–99 UEFA Cup. Osijek came up against Anderlecht. After a famous 3–1 victory at home in front of 15,000 supporters, Osijek lost 2–0 in Belgium and were knocked-out on away goals. In 1998–99, Osijek attained its first trophy, the Croatian Cup, following a victory over Cibalia 2–0. A year later, West Ham United was playing away in Gradski vrt, headed by Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Trevor Sinclair, Paolo Di Canio, Paulo Wanchope and Igor Štimac.

### 2000–2015

[edit]

In the 2000–01 UEFA Cup, NK Osijek beat Brøndby 2–1 (2–1, 0–0) and Rapid Wien 4–1 (2–1, 2–0). In the 3rd round, Osijek beat Slavia Prague 2–0 at home, but lost 5–1 in Prague. Osijek finished third in the league once more. In the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, Osijek progressed past Dinaburg on away goals, beat Gorica in the first round, but then lost 3–5 to AEK Athens. In the 2003–04 HNL, Osijek had the first and second highest goalscorers in the division with Špehar scoring 18 and Goran Ljubojević scoring 16. The club then went through a long phase of mid-table finishes and mediocre results.

NK Osijek was almost relegated during the 2013–14 season. On the final match day, Josip Barišić managed to score and keep Osijek afloat against Hrvatski dragovoljac. Osijek changed coaches on four occasions throughout the season. The following season, Osijek once again finished one position above the relegation play-off spot, finishing one point ahead of Istra 1961.

### 2015–present

[edit]

In September 2015, Zoran Zekić was appointed as the first team head coach, replacing Dražen Besek.[2]

With the club facing bankruptcy, Osijek went into private ownership for the first time in its history in February 2016 with Hungarian oligarch Lőrinc Mészáros and Croatian entrepreneur Ivan Meštrović buying a majority of shares in the club.[3] The duo went about stabilizing the club, improving the squad and bringing back ambition to the city and supporters. Much of the debt was restructured and paid off, securing the short-term and long-term future of Osijek.[4]

On 27 February 2017, the club celebrated its 70th anniversary in the Osijek theater.[5] In the 2016–17 season, Osijek finished 4th, which was their highest league finish in nearly 10 years.[6] The 4th-place finish led to Osijek participating in the qualifying phase of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League; with the club staging an extremely successful run to the play-off round, beating Santa Coloma, Luzern and PSV, the former champions of Europe, who won the 1987–88 edition.[7][8][9][10][11][12] The club's run was ended following a 1–2 home loss to Austria Wien, and despite the club winning the second leg 1–0, Osijek were eliminated on the away goals rule. Despite being eliminated, Osijek were praised and congratulated by Croatian press, fans and media for their historic run.[13][14]

In the 2017–18 season, Osijek finished 4th again, securing a place in the UEFA competition. Osijek beat Petrocub Hîncești 2–1 at home after drawing the first leg in Moldova 1–1, and faced Rangers in the second qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League. Osijek lost the home leg 1–0.[15]

After a bad start to the 2020–21 season, during which Osijek managed only a single point after the first three games of the season, manager Ivica Kulešević was sacked.[16] On 5 September 2020, Osijek appointed Nenad Bjelica as the new club manager.[17]

On 9 September 2020, it was announced that Lőrinc Mészáros was no longer the formal co-owner of the club, with the private investment fund BETA taking over his shares in NK OS d.o.o. The reason being that Mészáros was also the owner of Puskás Akadémia FC, and UEFA rules forbade two clubs owned by the same person from participating in European competitions, should they have both qualified.[18]

## Stadium

[edit]

Main articles: Stadion Gradski vrt and New NK Osijek Stadium

NK Osijek plays its home games at Gradski vrt, where it played its first game on the 7 September 1958, against Sloboda. It was officially opened in 1980.

The current design was made in the year 1979. The upper western tribune is unfinished to this day. The current capacity lies at 18,856 spectator seats, with 980 of them being for standing audiences. Before the club had transferred to Gradski vrt, Osijek played on a pitch next to the river Drava.

In April 2018, NK Osijek president Ivan Meštrović released plans for the new Pampas Stadium.[19] A new state of art stadium will be built at the Pampas neighbourhood in Osijek as part of the new NK Osijek training centre. The capacity of the new stadium will be 12,000, with all of the seats covered. The stadium will be UEFA category four and will be finished in June 2021. During the stadium construction, NK Osijek will play their home games at the current Gradski vrt stadium, which is in the future going to be used as the main stadium for the NK Osijek B squad.

## Supporters

[edit]

Main article: Kohorta Osijek

Kohorta fans at the stands of Stadion Gradski vrt before the match against PSV in 2017

The fan club of NK Osijek is called Kohorta (cohort, named after the Roman army unit composed of 360 soldiers). It was founded in 1972 under the name Šokci, and carries the name Kohorta since 1988. Kohorta is usually situated on the eastern tribune of Gradski vrt. Its seat is in the university street in Tvrđa, Osijek.[20]

Osijek is the third most supported football club in Croatia with 5% of population supporting it.[21]

## Rivalries

[edit]

Main articles: Slavonian derby and Osijek Rijeka derby

The Slavonian derby match is between the two largest Croatian football clubs from eastern Croatia, Osijek and Cibalia. Each new match between these two great rivals, means a great match on the field, but also in the stands.

Osijek–Rijeka derby is the name given to matches between Osijek and HNK Rijeka. On Croatian First Football League all-time table Rijeka and Osijek are on the third and fourth place. Rijeka and Osijek are with Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split the only four clubs that have never been relegated from the Croatian First League. Osijek and Rijeka are third and fourth best supported football clubs in Croatia. Osijek is supported by 5% and Rijeka by 4% of population.[21]

## Kit manufacturers and sponsors

[edit]

Period | Provider | Sponsor

|
|

1996–1998 | Diadora | Gradska banka
1998 | Umbro
1999 | Panturist
1999–2000 | Veritas osiguranje
2000–2001 | Puma | Osijek Koteks
2001–2002 | Diadora | Osječko pivo
2002–2004 | S9 | T Mobile
2004–2005 | Legea |
2005–2006 | Macron | T-com
2006–2008 | Kappa | Croatia osiguranje
2008–2010 | Legea
2010–2011 | Kappa
2011–2015 | Jako |
2016–2017 | Nike | Osječko 1664[22]
2017–2020  | Nike  | Dobro, Mészáros és Mészáros Kft.[23]
2020–  | 2Rule[24] | Mészáros és Mészáros Kft., Stadler

## Honours

[edit]

Osijek has won one Croatian Cup. In European competitions, the club has reached the third round of the UEFA Cup in 2000–01, the second round of the Intertoto Cup in 2006, the third place of the Mitropa Cup in 1981–82 and play-off round of the UEFA Europa League in 2017–18.

### Domestic

[edit]

Croatian football league system

* Croatian First League
* Runners-up (1): 2020–21
* Croatian Cup
* Winner (1): 1998–99
* Runners-up (1): 2011–12

Yugoslav football league system

* Yugoslav Second League
* Winner (5): 1952–53, 1969–70, 1972–73, 1976–77, 1980–81

### Best results in European competitions

[edit]

Main article: NK Osijek in European football

Season  | Achievement  | Notes

|
|

UEFA Cup / Europa League
2000–01 | Third round | lost to  Slavia Prague 2–0 in Osijek, 1–5 in Prague
2017–18 | Play-off round | lost to  Austria Wien 1–2 in Osijek, 1–0 in Sankt Pölten

Notable wins

| Season  | Match  | Score

|
|

Europa League / UEFA Cup
1998–99 | Osijek –  Anderlecht | 3 – 1
2000–01 | Osijek –  Rapid Wien | 2 – 1
2000–01 | Osijek –  Slavia Prague | 2 – 0
2017–18 | Osijek –  PSV | 1 – 0

## Recent seasons

[edit]

Further information: List of NK Osijek seasons

Season  | League  | Cup | European competitions | Top goalscorer

|
|
|
|

Division  | P  | W  | D  | L  | F  | A  | Pts  | Pos  | Player  | Goals
1992  | 1\. HNL | 22  | 12  | 3  | 7  | 33  | 28  | 27  | 3rd  | QF |  |  | Robert Špehar | 9
1992–93  | 1\. HNL | 30  | 11  | 7  | 12  | 40  | 42  | 29  | 6th  | QF |  |  | Alen Petrović | 10
1993–94  | 1\. HNL | 34  | 12  | 11  | 11  | 56  | 58  | 35  | 8th  | R2 |  |  | Antun Labak | 16
1994–95  | 1\. HNL | 30  | 16  | 11  | 3  | 65  | 30  | 59  | 3rd  | SF |  |  | Robert Špehar | 23
1995–96  | 1\. A HNL | 32  | 16  | 4  | 12  | 51  | 32  | 52  | 4th  | QF | UEFA Cup | QR | Igor Pamić | 17
1996–97  | 1\. A HNL | 30  | 12  | 5  | 13  | 40  | 38  | 41  | 8th  | SF |  |  | Dumitru Mitu | 10
1997–98  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 14  | 6  | 12  | 42  | 38  | 48  | 3rd  | R1 |  |  | Petar Krpan | 10
1998–99  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 14  | 6  | 12  | 51  | 39  | 48  | 4th  | W | UEFA Cup  | QR2 | Stanko Bubalo | 10
1999–00  | 1\. HNL | 33  | 15  | 8  | 10  | 55  | 49  | 53  | 3rd  | QF | UEFA Cup  | R1 | Stanko Bubalo | 13
2000–01  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 17  | 6  | 9  | 61  | 47  | 57  | 3rd  | SF | UEFA Cup  | R3 | Nenad Bjelica, Marijan Vuka | 9
2001–02  | 1\. HNL | 30  | 11  | 4  | 15  | 45  | 48  | 37  | 8th  | SF | UEFA Cup  | R2 | Milan Pavličić | 9
2002–03  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 10  | 9  | 13  | 32  | 51  | 39  | 8th  | QF |  |  | Milan Pavličić | 11
2003–04  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 11  | 6  | 15  | 50  | 57  | 39  | 4th  | QF |  |  | Robert Špehar | 18
2004–05  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 9  | 14  | 9  | 41  | 45  | 41  | 8th  | SF |  |  | Karlo Primorac | 11
2005–06  | 1\. HNL | 32  | 13  | 5  | 14  | 31  | 48  | 44  | 4th  | QF |  |  | Josip Balatinac | 6
2006–07 | 1\. HNL | 33  | 11  | 10  | 12  | 42  | 45  | 43  | 6th  | R2 | Intertoto Cup | R2 | Stjepan Jukić | 9
2007–08 | 1\. HNL | 33  | 16  | 6  | 11  | 43  | 34  | 54  | 3rd  | R2 |  |  | Vedran Nikšić | 8
2008–09 | 1\. HNL | 33  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 40  | 41  | 41  | 7th  | R1 |  |  | Josip Barišić | 8
2009–10 | 1\. HNL | 30  | 13  | 8  | 9  | 49  | 36  | 47  | 5th  | QF |  |  | Josip Barišić, Ivan Miličević, Vedran Nikšić | 8
2010–11 | 1\. HNL | 30  | 9  | 12  | 9  | 31  | 29  | 39  | 8th  | QF |  |  | Ivan Miličević | 5
2011–12 | 1\. HNL | 30  | 11  | 10  | 9  | 45  | 38  | 43  | 8th  | RU |  |  | Antonio Perošević | 7
2012–13 | 1\. HNL | 33  | 9  | 12  | 12  | 25  | 33  | 39  | 7th  | QF | Europa League | QR2 | Antonio Perošević, Zoran Kvržić | 4
2013–14 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 8  | 9  | 19  | 38  | 64  | 33  | 8th  | QF |  |  | Josip Barišić | 6
2014–15 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 10  | 6  | 20  | 42  | 59  | 36  | 8th  | R2 |  |  | Antonio Perošević, Aljoša Vojnović | 6
2015–16 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 7  | 13  | 16  | 27  | 49  | 34  | 8th  | QF |  |  | Antonio Perošević | 6
2016–17 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 20  | 6  | 10  | 52  | 37  | 66  | 4th  | SF |  |  | Muzafer Ejupi | 14
2017–18 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 14  | 14  | 8  | 53  | 38  | 56  | 4th  | QF | Europa League | PO | Haris Hajradinović | 9
2018–19 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 18  | 8  | 10  | 61  | 36  | 62  | 3rd  | SF | Europa League | QR2 | Mirko Marić | 18
2019–20 | 1\. HNL | 36  | 17  | 11  | 8  | 47  | 29  | 62  | 4th  | SF | Europa League | QR2 | Mirko Marić | 20
2020–21  | 1\. HNL | 36  | 23  | 8  | 5  | 59  | 25  | 77  | 2nd  | QF | Europa League | QR2 | Ramón Miérez | 22
2021–22  | 1\. HNL | 36  | 19  | 12  | 5  | 49  | 29  | 69  | 3rd  | SF | Conference League | QR3 | Mihael Žaper, Mijo Caktaš | 5
2022–23  | 1\. HNL | 36 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 46 | 41 | 50  | 3rd  | QF | Conference League | QR2 | Ramón Miérez | 12
2023–24 | 1\. HNL | 36 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 62 | 43 | 57 | 4th | QF | Conference League | QR3 | Ramón Miérez | 18
2024–25  | 1\. HNL | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 46 | 52 | 42 | 7th

Key

League: P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; Pts = Points won; Pos = Final position;
Cup / Europe: PR = Preliminary round; QR = Qualifying round; R1 = First round; R2 = Second round; QF = Quarter-final; SF = Semi-final; RU = Runner-up; W = Competition won;

## European competitions

[edit]

### Summary

[edit]

Competition  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | GF  | GA  | Last season played

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League | 37  | 18  | 3  | 16  | 45  | 48  | 2020–21
UEFA Europa Conference League | 14  | 7  | 4  | 3  | 22  | 20  | 2023–24
UEFA Intertoto Cup | 2  | 0  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 2  | 2006
Total | 53 | 25 | 9 | 19 | 69 | 70

Source:,[25] Fully up to date on 15 August 2024.
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against. Defunct competitions indicated in italics.

### By season

[edit]

Season  | Competition  | Round  | Opponent  | Home  | Away  | Agg.

|
|
|
|
|
|

1995–96  | UEFA Cup | QR  |  Slovan Bratislava | 0–2  | 0–4  | 0–6
1998–99  | UEFA Cup | QR2  |  Anderlecht | 3–1  | 0–2  | 3–3 (a)
1999–2000 | UEFA Cup | R1  |  West Ham United | 1–3  | 0–3  | 1–6
2000–01  | UEFA Cup | R1  |  Brøndby | 0–0  | 2–1  | 2–1
R2  |  Rapid Wien | 2–1  | 2–0  | 4–1
R3  |  Slavia Prague | 2–0  | 1–5  | 3–5
2001–02  | UEFA Cup | QR  |  Dinaburg | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–2 (a)
R1  |  Gorica | 1–0  | 2–1  | 3–1
R2  |  AEK Athens | 1–2  | 2–3  | 3–5
2006–07  | Intertoto Cup | R2  |  Ethnikos Achna | 2–2  | 0–0  | 2–2 (a)
2012–13 | Europa League | QR1  |  FC Santa Coloma | 3–1  | 1–0  | 4–1
QR2  |  Kalmar FF | 1–3  | 0–3  | 1–6
2017–18 | Europa League | QR1  |  UE Santa Coloma | 4–0  | 2–0  | 6–0
QR2  |  Luzern | 2–0  | 1–2  | 3–2
QR3  |  PSV Eindhoven | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–0
PO  |  Austria Wien | 1–2  | 1–0  | 2–2 (a)
2018–19  | Europa League | QR1  |  Petrocub Hîncești | 2–1  | 1–1  | 3–2
QR2  |  Rangers | 0–1  | 1–1  | 1–2
2019–20  | Europa League | QR2  |  CSKA Sofia | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–1 (3–4 p)
2020–21 | Europa League | QR2  |  Basel | 1–2  |
2021–22 | Europa Conference League | QR2  |  Pogoń Szczecin | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–0
QR3  |  CSKA Sofia | 1–1  | 2–4  | 3–5
2022–23 | Europa Conference League | QR2  |  Kyzylzhar | 0–2  | 2–1  | 2–3
2023–24 | Europa Conference League | QR2  |  Zalaegerszeg | 1–0  | 2–1  | 3−1
QR3  |  Adana Demirspor | 3–2  | 1–5  | 4–7
2024–25 | Conference League | QR2  |  Levadia | 5–1  | 1–0  | 6–1
QR3  |  Zira | 1–1  | 2–2  | 3–3 (1–2 p)

Last updated on 15 August 2024.

### Player records

[edit]

* Most appearances in UEFA club competitions: 18 appearances[26]
* Petar Bočkaj, Mile Škorić
* Top scorers in UEFA club competitions: 4 goals[26]
* Ramón Miérez, Muzafer Ejupi, Petar Bočkaj

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

As of 2 August 2025[27]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  CAN | Nikola Ćurčija
4  | DF |  CRO | Krešimir Vrbanac
5  | DF |  ARM | Styopa Mkrtchyan
6  | MF |  CRO | Hrvoje Babec
7  | MF |  CRO | Vedran Jugović (vice-captain)
8  | FW |  NGA | Justice Ohajunwa
9  | FW |  SUI | Yannick Toure
10  | MF |  BUL | Stanislav Shopov
11  | MF |  BIH | Nail Omerović
15  | DF |  ALB | Jon Mersinaj
16  | MF |  UKR | Oleksandr Petrusenko
17  | FW |  AUT | Arnel Jakupović
18  | MF |  CRO | Niko Farkaš
19  | FW |  CRO | Marino Žeravica
20  | GK |  CRO | Jan Hlapčić
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

22  | DF |  CRO | Roko Jurišić
23  | MF |  CRO | Luka Vrbančić
24  | FW |  CRO | Filip Živković
26  | DF |  CRO | Luka Jelenić
31  | GK |  CRO | Marko Malenica (captain)
33  | DF |  SWE | Emin Hasić
34  | FW |  CRO | Anton Matković
35  | DF |  CRO | Luka Zebec
38  | DF |  CRO | David Čolina (on loan from Augsburg)
39  | FW |  CRO | Domagoj Bukvić
42  | DF |  BRA | Renan Guedes
46  | FW |  CRO | Ivan Barić
49  | DF |  CRO | Ivano Kolarik
55  | DF |  CRO | Ivan Cvijanović
98  | MF |  CRO | Šimun Mikolčić

### Other players under contract

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | FW |  SUI | Kemal Ademi

### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

## Personnel

[edit]

Position  | Staff

|

Head coach  |  Simon Rožman
Assistant coach  |  Luka Gobec
Assistant coach  |  Tomislav Radotić
Assistant coach  |  Andrej Kvas
Goalkeeping coach  |  Filip Šušnjara
Fitness coach  |  Eldin Jelešković
Fitness coach  |  Marin Vučko
Team manager  |  Mislav Leko
Sporting director  |  Alen Petrović
Chief of medical staff  |  Lovro Marinčić
Doctor  |  Ivan Lovrić
Doctor  |  Neven Raguž
Physiotherapist  |  Milan Marković
Physiotherapist  |  Nikola Ivković
Physiotherapist  |  Marko Ovničević
Kit manager  |  Goran Vincek
Kit manager  |  Ivica Vincek
Kit manager assistant  |  Zoran Stranjak

Last updated: 11 July 2025
Source: NK Osijek official website

## Football school

[edit]

The football school of NK Osijek was founded in 1982 as the youth school. It was set in motion by Andrija Vekić, with the wish to recruit and create great players and coaches alike by creating a good and competitive atmosphere. Many players considered to be high-level were in that school.

## Notable players

[edit]

To appear in this section a player must have:

* Played at least 150 league games for the club;
* Scored at least 50 league goals for the club; or
* Played at least one international match for their national or olympic team while playing for NK Osijek.

Years in brackets indicate their spells at the club.

* Franjo Rupnik (1947–51)
* Ljupko Petrović (1967–79)
* Ratomir Dujković (1977–80)
* Ivica Miljković (1977–80)
* Mustafa Hukić (1978–81)
* Ivica Grnja (1972–82)
* Jasmin Džeko (1980–84, 1985–89)
* Vlado Kasalo (1983–87)
* Davor Šuker (1984–89)
* Robert Špehar (1988–92, 1994–95, 2002–04)[28]
* Miroslav Bičanić (1989–92, 1994–96)[29]
* Bakir Beširević (1992–94, 1994–02)[30]
* Nenad Bjelica (1992–93, 1999–01)
* Davor Rupnik (1992–98)[31]
* Damir Vuica (1992–94, 1997–02, 2005–08)[32]
* Petar Krpan (1993–98, 2001)[33]
* Mario Galinović (1993–02)[34]
* Ivo Ergović (1994–01)[35]
* Ronald Grnja (1994–04)[36]
* Stjepan Vranješ (1992–99)
* Ivica Beljan (1994–96, 1997–00)[37]
* Igor Pamić (1995–96)[38]
* Nermin Šabić (1996–97)
* Dumitru Mitu (1996–02)[39]
* Jurica Vranješ (1997–00)[40]
* Josip Balatinac (1997–06)[41]
* Stanko Bubalo (1998–00)[42]
* Mato Neretljak (2000–02)[43]
* Marin Skender (2003–09)[44]
* Valentin Babić (2004–09, 2013–14)[45]
* Ivo Smoje (2005–09, 2010–13)[46]
* Josip Barišić (2005–11, 2013–14)[47]
* Tomislav Šorša (2006–16, 2017–20)[48]
* Domagoj Vida (2006–10)[49]
* Vedran Jugović (2007–13, 2019– )
* Hrvoje Kurtović (2008–16)[50]
* Mile Škorić (2008–11, 2013–23)[51]
* Zoran Kvržić (2010–13)
* Antonio Perošević (2010–17)
* Borna Barišić (2013–15, 2016–18)
* Nikola Matas (2014–18)
* Mateo Barać (2016–18)
* Muzafer Ejupi (2016–19)
* Mihail Caimacov (2018–21)
* Mirlind Daku (2018–23)
* Ivica Ivušić (2019–23)
* László Kleinheisler (2019–23)
* Damjan Bohar (2020–22)
* Ramón Miérez (2020–24)
* Ádám Gyurcsó (2021)
* Mario Jurčević (2020–23)
* Adrian Leon Barišić (2018–23)
* Styopa Mkrtchyan (2023–)
* Jovan Manev (2023–24)
* Nail Omerović (2021–)

## Historical list of coaches

[edit]

incomplete list

* Viktor Šter
* Blagoje Marjanović (1952–1953)
* Franjo Glaser
* Zorko Hlavač
* Mato Kasač
* Vladimir Beara
* Sima Milovanov
* Gustav Lechner (1945–49)
* Ernest Dubac (1951–55)
* Bernard Hügl (1955–56)
* Milan Antolković (1972–73)
* Miljenko Mihić (1978–79)
* Milan Đuričić (1979–80)
* Josip Duvančić (1980–83)
* Milan Đuričić (1983–85)
* Ljupko Petrović (1985–87)
* Milan Đuričić (1987)
* Stjepan Čordaš (1989)
* Tonko Vukušić (1990)
* Šaban Jasenica (1990)
* Ivica Grnja (1991)
* Stjepan Čordaš (1992–93)
* Vlado Bilić (1993)
* Ivica Grnja (1993–94)
* Ivo Šušak (1993–95)
* Ivica Matković (1995–96)
* Ante Čačić (1995–96)
* Ivan Katalinić (1995–96)
* Goran Popović (1996–97)
* Luka Bonačić (1996–97)
* Milan Đuričić (1997–99), (Jun 2002 – Aug 2002)
* Stanko Poklepović (1998–00), (Nov 2002–03)
* Pavo Strugačevac (1999)
* Stanko Mršić (1999–01)
* Vlado Bilić (2000–02)
* Vjekoslav Lokica (2001–02)
* Miroslav Blažević (2001–02)
* Nenad Gračan (2002–03)
* Branko Karačić (2003–04)
* Stjepan Čordaš (2004–05)
* Ivo Šušak (July 1, 2005 – Nov 13, 2006)
* Miroslav Žitnjak (2006–07)
* Ilija Lončarević (Nov 14, 2006 – Sept 26, 2008)
* Tomislav Steinbrückner (Sept 26, 2008 – Aug 16, 2010)
* Branko Karačić (Aug 16, 2010 – May 2, 2011)
* Vlado Bilić (May 3, 2011 – March 31, 2012)
* Stanko Mršić (March 31, 2012 – May 13, 2013)
* Miroslav Žitnjak (interim) (May 13, 2013 – June 4, 2013)
* Tomislav Steinbrückner (June 4, 2013 – Aug 18, 2013)
* Davor Rupnik (Aug 19, 2013 – Oct 21, 2013)
* Ivica Kulešević (Oct 21, 2013 – Feb 27, 2014)
* Tomislav Rukavina (Feb 27, 2014 – Feb 11, 2015)
* Ivo Šušak (Feb 11, 2015 – June 1, 2015)
* Dražen Besek (June 14, 2015 – Sept 1, 2015)
* Zoran Zekić (Sept 1, 2015– Mar 29, 2019)
* Dino Skender (Mar 29, 2019 – Sept 21, 2019)
* Ivica Kulešević (Sept 23, 2019 – Sept 4, 2020)
* Nenad Bjelica (Sept 5, 2020 – Aug 29, 2022)
* René Poms (Aug 29, 2022 – Mar 2, 2023)
* Ivica Kulešević (Sep 29, 2022 – Mar 2, 2023)
* Borimir Perković (Mar 2, 2023 – Apr 22, 2023)
* Stjepan Tomas (Apr 24, 2023 – Oct 3, 2023)
* Zoran Zekić (Oct 13, 2023 – May 21, 2024)
* Federico Coppitelli (June 12, 2024 – present)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "povijest". bijelo-plavi.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
2. ^ "PROMJENA NA KLUPI OSIJEKA Zoran Zekić zamijenio Dražena Beseka". nacional.hr. September 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
3. ^ Garmaz, Željko. "46,6% dionica za 100.000 kn: Prijatelj Orbana kupuje Osijek". 24sata.hr. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
4. ^ "Klub je kupljen, ali za sve građane Osijeka". Glas Slavonije. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
5. ^ "NK Osijek proslavio 70. rođendan – Hrvatski nogometni savez". hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
6. ^ "Arhiva sezone 2016/17 – Hrvatski Telekom Prva liga". prvahnl.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
7. ^ UEFA.com. "UEFA Europa League – PSV-Osijek". UEFA. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
8. ^ "Zekić je oduševljen, a evo što o šokantnom trijumfu Osijeka kaže trener PSV-a". tportal.hr. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
9. ^ "Poker golova pred 4500 ljudi: Osijek rastavio Santa Colomu" (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
10. ^ "Jedva i teškom mukom: Osijek uspio pobijediti Santa Colomu!" (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
11. ^ "Osijek – Luzern 2:0 (0:0)". hrnogomet.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
12. ^ "Luzern – Osijek 2:1 (1:0)". hrnogomet.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
13. ^ "Osijek propustio veliku priliku: Austria slavila na Gradskom vrtu". Gol.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
14. ^ "Osijek slavio, ali ostao na korak od iznenađenja i plasmana u Europsku ligu!". Gol.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
15. ^ UEFA.com. "UEFA Europa League". UEFA. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
16. ^ Knežević, Slaven. "[VIDEO] Ivica Kulešević: 'Dotaknuli smo dno! Nadam se pojačanjima'; Zoran Mamić: 'Visjeli smo kao luster i sretno pobijedili... Moramo bolje!'". tportal.hr. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
17. ^ "Osijek je upravo potvrdio da je Nenad Bjelica njegov novi trener". telesport.telegram.hr. 5 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
18. ^ "Lőrinc Mészáros više nije formalni suvlasnik NK Osijek". nacional.hr. 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
19. ^ ""PRESTALI SMO SANJATI, POČELI SMO ŽIVJETI!"". NK Osijek. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
20. ^ "Kohorta". nk-osijek.hr. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
21. ^ a b "5% of people in Croatia supports Osijek". osijek031.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
22. ^ "Osječko pivo i bijelo-plavi idu ruku pod ruku". glas-slavonije.hr. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
23. ^ "DOBRO na osječkim dresovima". nk-osijek.hr. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
24. ^ "Osijek dobio neobične dresove: Tehnički sponzor kojeg ima malo tko u svijetu". gol.dnevnik.hr. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
25. ^ "uefa.com". Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
26. ^ a b "Osijek profile". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
27. ^ "Igrači – Prva momčad" [Players – First Team] (in Croatian). NK Osijek. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
28. ^ "Robert Špehar CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
29. ^ "Miroslav Bičanić CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
30. ^ "Bakir Beširević CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
31. ^ "Davor Rupnik CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
32. ^ "Damir Vuica CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
33. ^ "Petar Krpan CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
34. ^ "Mario Galinović CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
35. ^ "Ivo Ergović CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
36. ^ "Ronald Grnja CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
37. ^ "Ivica Beljan CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
38. ^ "Igor Pamić CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
39. ^ "Dumitru Mitu CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
40. ^ "Jurica Vranješ CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
41. ^ "Josip Balatinac CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
42. ^ "Stanko Bubalo CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
43. ^ "Mato Neretljak CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
44. ^ "Marin Skender CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
45. ^ "Valentin Babić CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
46. ^ "Ivo Smoje CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
47. ^ "Josip Barišić CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
48. ^ "Tomislav Šorša CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
49. ^ "Domagoj Vida CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
50. ^ "Hrvoje Kurtović CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
51. ^ "Mile Škorić CFS Profile". Croatian Football Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to NK Osijek.

* Official website (in Croatian)
* NK Osijek profile at UEFA.com
* NK Osijek profile at Sportnet.hr (in Croatian)
* Bijelo-plavi.com unofficial website (in Croatian)
* Kohorta.net official supporters' website (in Croatian)

* v
* t
* e

Nogometni klub Osijek

* Managers
* Academy
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* Records & Statistics
* Current season

History|

* History
* Seasons
* Honours
* Europe

Grounds|

* Kraj Drave (1945–1959)
* Gradski vrt (1959–2023)
* Opus Arena (2023–present)

Related articles|

* Osijek–Rijeka derby
* Slavonian derby
* Kohorta Osijek

Categories|

* Players
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Croatian Football League

2025–26 teams|

* Dinamo Zagreb
* Gorica
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* Rijeka
* Slaven Belupo
* Varaždin
* Vukovar 1991

Former teams|

* Belišće
* Cibalia
* Croatia Sesvete
* Čakovec
* Dubrava
* Dubrovnik
* Hrvatski Dragovoljac
* Inter Zaprešić
* Istra Pula
* Kamen Ingrad
* Karlovac
* Lučko
* Marsonia
* Međimurje
* Mladost 127
* Neretva
* Orijent
* Pazinka
* Pomorac
* Primorac
* Radnik Velika Gorica
* Rudeš
* Samobor
* Segesta
* Šibenik
* RNK Split
* TŠK Topolovac
* Varaždin (1931)
* Vukovar '91
* Zadar
* NK Zagreb

Statistics and awards|

* Players
* Top scorers
* Hat-tricks
* Records and statistics
* Player awards
* Večernji list
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Associated competitions|

* Croatian Cup
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Seasons|

* 1992
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
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* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
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Yugoslav First League (1923–1992)

1923–1940 — SHS / Yugoslavia

Seasons|

* 1923
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* 1931
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* 1936–37
* 1937–38
* 1938–39
* 1939–40

Clubs|

* Bačka
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* HAŠK
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* NAK Novi Sad
* Pobeda Skoplje
* Primorje
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* SAŠK
* SAND Subotica
* Slavija Osijek
* Slavija Sarajevo
* Slavija Varaždin
* Somborski SK
* Sparta Zemun
* Viktorija Zagreb
* Vojvodina
* ŽAK Subotica
* ŽAK Velika Kikinda

1945–1992 — FPR / SFR Yugoslavia

Seasons|

* 1945
* 1945–46
* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
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* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
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* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

Clubs|

* 14\. Oktobar Niš
* Bor
* Borac Banja Luka
* Budućnost Titograd
* Crvenka
* Čelik Zenica
* Dinamo Vinkovci
* Dinamo Zagreb
* Hajduk Split
* Iskra Bugojno
* Lokomotiva
* Mačva
* Maribor
* Nafta
* Napredak
* Naša Krila
* Novi Sad
* OFK Belgrade
* Olimpija
* Osijek
* Partizan
* Pelister
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* Proleter Zrenjanin
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* Rad
* Radnički Belgrade
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* Red Star Belgrade
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* Zemun
* Željezničar

Authority control databases |

* VIAF

|

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template