Darije Kalezić

Kalezić was born in Pfäffikon, Switzerland. He started his career still in Yugoslavia, then Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he played for 4th tier FK Lokomotiva Mostar when sports director Vahid Halilhodžić brought him to Velež Mostar. When the Bosnian War broke out, he left Mostar and earned a contract with Croatian side NK Neretva and played for them during the Croatian War of Independence. He fled war-torn Croatia for the Netherlands in 1994 and as player being member of FC Den Bosch, RKC Waalwijk, AGOVV Apeldoorn, and De Graafschap. He retired in 2006, at De Graafschap.

After his retirement from football as a player, Kalezić accepted to stay at De Graafschap as a reserve/youth team coach from 2006 to 2008, and later on being promoted as assistant coach.

De Graafschap

On 25 February 2009, he was appointed interim manager of De Graafschap after previous manager Henk van Stee was dismissed due to poor results. Even though the team relegated at the end of the season, Kalezić was confirmed as head coach for the new season, in which he led the promptly bounce back into the Eredivisie by claiming the 2009–10 Eerste Divisie title. He saved the team from relegation in 2010–11, leaving the club at the end of the season.

Zulte Waregem

In June 2011, Kalezić was announced as new head coach of Belgian Pro League club Zulte Waregem. On 27 December 2011, Kalezić was fired with Zulte Waregem in 14th place and two places above relegation.

Stockport County

On 24 January 2013, Kalezić was announced as manager of Stockport County. Kalezić held this position until 20 March 2013 at which point he left the club via mutual consent.

Jong PSV

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Kalezić was appointed manager of Jong PSV, the reserve side of PSV Eindhoven, for their first season in the Eerste Divisie. Jong PSV finished the 2013–14 Eerste Divisie in 10th place. Kalezić guided the Jong PSV to a 14th-place finish in the 2014/15 Eerste Divisie.

Roda JC

On 11 June 2015, Kalezić was appointed manager of newly promoted Roda JC on a…

Kalezić's father is from Montenegro and his mother is from Sanski Most, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His parents were guest workers in Switzerland when he was born, but they moved back to the Balkans, settling in Mostar when Darije was a child.

Player

Neretva

Croatian Second League: 1993–94 (South)

Manager

De Graafschap

Eerste Divisie: 2009–10 PSM Makassar

Piala Indonesia: 2018–19 Individual

Eerste Divisie Manager of the year: 2009–10