Josip Šimunić Set to Hang Up the Boots
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Dinamo Zagreb head coach Zoran Mamić has revealed that his 105-capped Croatia international captain Josip Šimunić looks set to retire this winter…
Šimunić captained his club side Dinamo Zagreb last night in their UEFA Europa League loss to Celtic, and a chat with coach Mamić after the match revealed that his last competitive match is not far away.
“We have agreed with Josip Šimunić that this winter he will end his career. That is why we must sign another defender,” said Mamić, which was reportedly by sports daily Sportske novosti.
Šimunić, who turns 37 this winter, started his career with the Melbourne Knights in Australia, before playing in Germany from 1998 to 2011 at Hamburger SV, Hertha BSC and 1899 Hoffenheim. The skillful centre-back signed for Dinamo Zagreb in 2011. Šimunić was suspended by football’s world governing body FIFA for 10 matches, and ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs (£20,700), for what FIFA declared was ‘discriminatory behaviour’ when he chanted ‘Za Dom’ during post-match celebrations after Croatia beat Iceland in November during their World Cup play-off match.
