Ivan Katalinić

Despite signing his first professional contract with Hajduk in the summer of 1970, Katalinić had to wait more than a year for his debut. The long-awaited day occurred on 29 September 1971, when he came on as a substitute for injured Radomir Vukčević in the European Cup first-round return-leg in Split, against Valencia. However, in the face of stiff competition Katalinić would not become first-choice goalkeeper until 1975. He then kept the number one jersey for the following two seasons, before losing it due to military service, which was obligatory at the time. Upon his return from the army in May 1979, Katalinić played only one game, adding just three more at the beginning of the following season: transfer abroad was on the horizon. After trials with West Bromwich Albion and Derby County, followed by unsuccessful attempts to gain his work permit, Katalinić finally made a breakthrough with Southampton. After signing a four-year contract with Southampton in February 1980, Katalinić became the first Croatian ever to play in the First Division (today known as the Premier League). To date, he remains the only Croatian goalkeeper to have played in the English top-flight. During the next two and a half years he made 54 appearances for Southampton in all competitions. For the 1982–83 season Southampton signed England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, whose arrival moved Katalinić to the bench. After cancelling his contract with Southampton in the summer of 1983, he signed with Hajduk as a…

As a goalkeeper, Katalinić was capped 13 times for Yugoslavia national team. His debut came on 30 January 1977 when Yugoslavia beat Colombia 1–0 at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá and his last game was in Rome on 18 May 1978 versus Italy at stadio Olimpico in a scoreless draw.

Style of play

Due to his calmness and composure on the field, Katalinić was nicknamed "Banks". He was described as having excellent reflexes, and was particularly skilled in one-on-one duels with the opposing players. Katalinić also had the ability to read the game and predict the offensive action well in advance, which he used to alert and direct the defence.

After ten years on Hajduk's coaching staff as an assistant and goalkeeper coach, in March 1993 Katalinić was appointed as a manager. Under his helm, two months later, Hajduk won Croatian Cup after two legged final against great rival Dinamo Zagreb. The following season Hajduk were champions of Croatia and in 1994–95 first Croatian double crown was rounded with Champions League quarterfinal clash with eventual winners Ajax. Following season Hajduk failed to qualify for the Champions League after losing to Panathinaikos. Two months later Katalinić resigned after being knocked out of the Croatian Cup. In 1996–97 came his first managerial job abroad when he signed a one-year contract with Hapoel Haifa. Return to Croatia followed where he took over minnows Zadar leading them to championship play-offs. Second spell with Hajduk followed but no trophies were won. In the new century Katalinić had two more attempts but did not manage to qualify for the Champions League. With Zagreb, in 2002, he failed to overcome ZTE while two years later short episode with Hajduk ended soon after crushing out against Shelbourne. He coached Rijeka on two occasions, saving them from relegation in his first spell with the club. However, in Ukraine Katalinić's effort was not enough to save Metalurh Zaporizhzhia from the drop. After five years of coaching abroad (Bahrain, Albania, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the summer of 2009 Katalinić surprised many with his move to ambitious Croatian Third…

Player

Hajduk Split

Yugoslav First League: 1970–71, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1978–79 Yugoslav Cup: 1971–72, 1973, 1974, 1975–76, 1976–77

Manager

Hajduk Split

Croatian First League: 1993–94, 1994–95 Croatian Cup: 1992–93, 1994–95 Croatian Super Cup: 1993, 1994, 2004 Dugopolje

Croatian Third League: 2009–10 (South) Individual

Tempo magazine Award for Best Yugoslav goalkeeper: 1975–76 Trophy Bili for the best Hajduk player: 1976–77 Daily Star Golden Glove Award for the best First Division goalkeeper of the month: December 1981 Supersport (weekly magazine published by Sportske Novosti) Croatian Coach of the Year: 1994, 1995 City of Split Sport Federation Award for the city of Split Coach of the Year: 1994, 1995