Marko Babić
Marko Babić is a Croatian association football player and manager.
He primarily played as a left midfielder but was also often deployed as a left-back.
Babić played for Bayer 04 Leverkusen during their loss to Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.
Biography
Early Life and Playing Career
Marko Babić is a Croatian football manager and former professional player, primarily recognized for his versatility on the field as a left midfielder and left-back. He began his career at his hometown club, NK Osijek, where he played from 1997 to 1999 before moving to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2000. During his time at Leverkusen, he notably participated in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. After several successful seasons in Germany, Babić transitioned to La Liga, joining Real Betis in 2007, where he made his competitive debut against Recreativo de Huelva in August 2007. His career continued with stints at Hertha BSC and Real Zaragoza, before returning to NK Osijek and concluding his playing days at LASK Linz in 2013.
International Career
Babić's international career began with the Croatian national youth teams, where he represented the under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20, and under-21 squads. He made his senior debut for the Croatia national team in May 2002 and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2004. He played all three matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his skills as a left wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation. However, he was notably left out of the Euro 2008 squad, which surprised many fans and analysts alike.
Managerial Career
After retiring from professional football, Babić transitioned into management, starting as an assistant manager at Olympiacos in 2017. He took on his first managerial role at Čelik Zenica in September 2019, where he had a brief tenure marked by mixed results. Shortly after, he became the manager of Rudeš and later took charge of Ilirija 1911 in January 2022. Babić's managerial journey reflects his ongoing commitment to the sport, as he continues to influence the game from the sidelines.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
International goals
Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Babić goal.
Babić made his Croatia national team debut in May 2002 against Hungary. He was part of the Croatian squad at UEFA Euro 2004, but did not make an appearance. He played all three matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, stationed as a left wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation. He was a surprise omission from Slaven Bilić's Euro 2008 squad.
Babić made his debut with hometown club NK Osijek, where he spent three seasons. In 2000, Babić completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen where he joined the German outfit's Croatian contingent. He played for the club during their loss to Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final. Babić was offered a new contract in 2003. Real Betis presented the player to the press and fans on 17 July 2007. Early reports suggested he had signed on a free transfer as his contract had ended. On 23 July 2007, Babić made his Betis debut in a friendly match against San Fernando. His competitive debut came in the La Liga season against Recreativo de Huelva on 26 August 2007. In January 2009, Babić left Spain to play for Hertha BSC on a free transfer and gave up the non-EU quota to Ricardo Oliveira. He left Hertha six months later. On 8 August 2009, he signed a two-year contract with Real Zaragoza. On 6 September 2010 his contract was terminated. On 2 March 2011, Babić signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with former club Osijek. After leaving Osijek in 2012, he signed with Austrian club LASK Linz, for who he played until 2013, after which he decided to retire from professional football at the age of 32.
Early career
Babić started off his managerial career in June 2017, being appointed as an assistant manager of Besnik Hasi at Olympiacos. He stayed at Olympiacos until September of the same year, before leaving the club after Hasi got sacked.
Čelik Zenica
On 5 September 2019, Babić got his first managerial position, being appointed as the new manager of Bosnian Premier League club Čelik Zenica. In his first game as the club's manager, Čelik beat Mladost Doboj Kakanj at home 1–0 in a league match. His first loss as Čelik manager was in a cup game against Rudar Kakanj on 18 September 2019, in which Čelik surprisingly lost 3–0 away in Kakanj. Less than a month after being named manager, on 30 September 2019, Babić left Čelik after making some poor results and not being in good contact with the players of the club.
Rudeš
On 7 October 2019, it was announced that Babić was named the new manager of 2. HNL club Rudeš.
Ilirija 1911
In January 2022, Babić became the new head coach of Slovenian Second League side Ilirija 1911.
- Club
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2000–2007)
- Club
- NK Osijek (2010–2012)
- Club
- Croatia national under-17 football team (1996–1999)
- Club
- Real Zaragoza (2009–2010)
- Club
- NK Osijek (1997–1999)
- Club
- LASK Linz (2013–2013)
- Club
- Hertha BSC (2009–2009)
- Club
- Real Betis Balompié (2007–2009)
- Club
- Croatia national under-18 football team (1999–2000)
- Club
- Croatia national under-19 football team (1999–2000)
- Club
- Croatia national under-20 football team (2000–2001)
- Club
- Croatia national under-21 football team (2002–2004)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Croatia
- Club
- Croatia men's national football team (2002–2008)
Clubs
- Croatia national under-17 football team1996–1999
- NK Osijek1997–1999
- Croatia national under-18 football team1999–2000
- Croatia national under-19 football team1999–2000
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen2000–2007
- Croatia national under-20 football team2000–2001
- Croatia men's national football team2002–2008
- Croatia national under-21 football team2002–2004
- Real Betis Balompié2007–2009
- Hertha BSC2009–2009
- Real Zaragoza2009–2010
- NK Osijek2010–2012
- LASK Linz2013–2013
Played together with
Aaron MokoenaBayer 04 Leverkusen · 1998–1999
Abde EzzalzouliReal Betis Balompié · 2023- Abdullah KeseroğluBayer 04 Leverkusen
Abel AguilarReal Zaragoza · 2009–2010
Abraham MineroReal Zaragoza · 2011–2017
Achille EmanáReal Betis Balompié · 2008–2011
Adam HložekBayer 04 Leverkusen · 2022–2024- Adam KensyLASK Linz · 1987–1989
- Adam LedwońBayer 04 Leverkusen · 1998–1999
Adam MatysekBayer 04 Leverkusen · 1998–2001
Adam SušacCroatia national under-17 football team · 2005–2005- Adam SušacCroatia national under-19 football team · 2007–2008
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Marko Babić is a Croatian football manager and former professional footballer. He primarily played as left midfielder, but was also often deployed as a left-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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