Mirko Hrgović is a Bosnian association football player turned manager, currently serving as an assistant coach for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
He began his professional career at VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, where he played from 2003 to 2006.
Hrgović's move to GNK Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 was controversial, leading to significant backlash from fans of his former club Hajduk Split.
Biography
Early Life and Background
Mirko Hrgović is a Bosnian professional football manager and former player, known for his versatility as a midfielder. Born in Croatia, he chose to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally after feeling overlooked in his home country. His decision to play for Bosnia came during his time at NK Široki Brijeg, where he began to gain recognition.
Club Career
Hrgović's club career spanned several countries and leagues, showcasing his adaptability and skill on the field. He started his professional journey at HŠK Posušje and NK Junak Sinj before moving to NK Široki Brijeg, where he made a significant impact. His career took him to the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg from 2003 to 2006, and he later played for notable clubs such as GNK Dinamo Zagreb, HNK Hajduk Split, and JEF United Chiba in Japan. His move to Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 was particularly controversial, stirring strong reactions from fans of both Dinamo and Hajduk due to his previous affiliations.
After a brief stint in Germany with SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Hrgović returned to Široki Brijeg in 2010, continuing to contribute to the Bosnian Premier League. He also had a notable international career, earning 29 caps and scoring 2 goals for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team between 2003 and 2009.
Managerial Career
Following his retirement from playing, Hrgović transitioned into management, taking on roles as an assistant coach at various clubs, including Široki Brijeg and Sheriff Tiraspol. In May 2024, he was appointed as an assistant coach for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, marking a new chapter in his football career as he continues to influence the sport from the sidelines.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Široki Brijeg
Hrgović has played for Posušje and Široki Brijeg in the Bosnian Premier League, Gamba Osaka and JEF United Chiba in the Japanese J1 League, VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and rivals Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian First League among others.
Dinamo Zagreb
On 18 July 2008, Hrgović signed a three-year contract with Dinamo Zagreb. His move, albeit not directly from Hajduk Split to Dinamo, stirred quite a controversy among both Hajduk and Dinamo fans. While Hajduk fans tend to see the move as treason to their beloved club, Dinamo fans cannot forgive the physical altercation between Hrgović and a couple of them that occurred seven months earlier during the national futsal competition. Graffiti against Hrgović and death threats, including a puppet of him being hanged by the Dinamo stadium fence, were registered.
Greuther Fürth
On 17 July 2009, Hrgović signed a two-year contract with 2. Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth. He was released on 25 November 2009.
Return to Široki Brijeg
After his release in November 2009 by Greuther Fürth, Hrgović returned to his former club Široki Brijeg in March 2010.
International
Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first
Born in Croatia, Hrgović decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina after his games went unnoticed in Croatia. He decided to take Bosnia and Herzegovina nationality while playing for Široki Brijeg. He was called up by national team head coach Blaž Slišković. Hrgović made his debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in a February 2003 friendly game away against Wales. He has earned a total of 29 caps, scoring 2 goals. Hrgović played regularly during Blaž Slišković's time as the national team's head coach. After Slišković's resignation in 2006, he also played under Fuad Muzurović and Meho Kodro. When Miroslav Blažević became head coach, Hrgović was dropped for several games. He would eventually be called back to represent the country in the last two games of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Estonia and Spain. His final international was an October 2009 World Cup qualifying game against the latter.
Following his retirement from active football, Hrgović became a manager. He worked as an assistant at Široki Brijeg, Sheriff Tiraspol, Beijing Guoan and Šibenik. In May 2024, Hrgović was named as an assistant of newly appointed Bosnia and Herzegovina national team head coach Sergej Barbarez.
- League
- 2. Bundesliga
- National team
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Club
- RNK Split (2011–2013)
- Club
- NK Široki Brijeg (2001–2003)
- Club
- HŠK Posušje (2000–2001)
- Club
- JEF United Chiba (2008–2008)
- Club
- NK Junak Sinj (1997–1999)
- Club
- SpVgg Greuther Fürth (2009–2009)
- Club
- A.O. Kavalas (association football) (2010–2011)
- Club
- Gamba Osaka (2001–2001)
- Club
- HNK Hajduk Split (1999–2000)
- Club
- HNK Hajduk Split (2006–2008)
- Club
- NK Junak Sinj (2015–2016)
- Club
- Bosnia and Herzegovina men's national football team (2003–2009)
- Club
- A.O. Kavalas (association football) (2006–2008)
- Club
- RNK Split (2008–2008)
- Club
- NK Zadar (2008–2009)
- League
- Bundesliga
- Club
- VfL Wolfsburg (2003–2006)
- Club
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb (2008–2009)
- Club
- NK Zadar (2013–2015)
- Club
- NK Široki Brijeg (2010–2010)
Clubs
- NK Junak Sinj1997–1999
- HNK Hajduk Split1999–2000
- HŠK Posušje2000–2001
- Gamba Osaka2001–2001
- NK Široki Brijeg2001–2003
- Bosnia and Herzegovina men's national football team2003–2009
- VfL Wolfsburg2003–2006
- A.O. Kavalas (association football)2006–2008
- HNK Hajduk Split2006–2008
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb2008–2009
- JEF United Chiba2008–2008
- NK Zadar2008–2009
- RNK Split2008–2008
- SpVgg Greuther Fürth2009–2009
- A.O. Kavalas (association football)2010–2011
- NK Široki Brijeg2010–2010
- RNK Split2011–2013
- NK Zadar2013–2015
- NK Junak Sinj2015–2016
Played together with
Aaron HuntVfL Wolfsburg · 2014–2015
Abdiel ArroyoRNK Split · 2016–2016
Achim BeierlorzerSpVgg Greuther Fürth · 1989–1996- Adaílson Pereira CoelhoVfL Wolfsburg · 2005–2006
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorGamba Osaka · 2016
Adi RochaGamba Osaka · 2013–2013
Admir MehmediVfL Wolfsburg · 2018–2022
Adnan ZahirovićRNK Split · 2016–2016
Ado OnaiwuJEF United Chiba · 2014- Adrian AliajHNK Hajduk Split · 1996–1998
- Adrian ŠemperGNK Dinamo Zagreb
Adriano Ferreira MartinsGamba Osaka · 2011–2011
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Mirko Hrgović is a Bosnian professional football manager and former player currently working as an assistant coach for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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