David Zdrilic

Early years

Zdrilic attended Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield and St Patrick's College, Sutherland. During his time as a teenage schoolboy he featured prominently in all teams including the A Grade squad. He had the opportunity as a child to pursue a tennis career, receiving coaching and playing in tournaments, but chose football instead. After playing through the youth ranks for St George Saints he broke into the senior side in 1993 at the age of 19. Mid-way through the NSW Super League year he signed to Sydney United for the coming National Soccer League season. He made an immediate impact shortly after joining the club, scoring four goals in four games in a preseason cup competition. However, he played most of his first NSL season playing as fullback, netting only once for the year. Zdrilic's versatility meant he was often used in different positions and during the 1994/95 and 1995/96 seasons, he was more often among the goal scorers. It was in the 1996/97 season that for the first time Zdrilic was used as an out and out striker and eventually took out the Golden Boot scoring 21 goals in 26 games. During this time he combined studying a law degree at Sydney University and working full-time at a Western Sydney Law Firm with his footballing duties. It was not until this 1996/97 NSL season that his footballing career rose to the next level. Zdrilic's first call-up to the national team came in January 1997. After the appointment of Terry Venables as the new…

Coaching

While playing at Sydney United, Zdrilic took up his first coaching role coaching with former NSL champions, Hakoah Sydney City East. In his maiden season as manager, Zdrilic guided the side to a semi-final berth, but declined the club's offer to extend his contract for a second season. The departure of Ante Milicic to A-League expansion club Melbourne Heart opened the opportunity for Zdrilic to become the player/manager at Sydney United. He spent one season in charge of the club before announcing his retirement as a player. Despite enjoying more success as manager – taking United deep into the finals series in his first season at Edensor Park – Zdrilic left the club to concentrate on his growing media career. He was succeeded at the club by Jean-Paul de Marigny, returning for his second stint in charge. Whilst away from the dugout, Zdrilic undertook a succession of coaching study tours in Europe, spending time at clubs such Bayern Munich, TSG Hoffenheim, Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb. In 2015, Zdrilic returned to the coaching ranks after being approached by Sydney FC to become the assistant coach of both the NSW NPL2 first team, NYL team and the under-20 side. Both sides won their respective leagues in August 2016, meaning the club will participate in the New South Wales NPL1 in 2017 for the first time. The following season saw Zdrilic take over the NPL1 U20 side as head coach whilst still remaining assistant coach to Robbie Stanton's NPL1 first team. In…

Club

International

Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zdrilic goal.

Sydney FC

A-League Championship: 2005–06 Oceania Club Championship: 2004–05 Australia

FIFA Confederations Cup: 3rd place, 2001 OFC Nations Cup: 2000, 2004 AFC–OFC Challenge Cup: runner-up 2001 Individual

NSL top scorer: 1996–97 with Sydney United with 21 goals Logie Award nomination for Outstanding Sports Commentator: 2009