Igor Biscan named new Croatia U-21 coach

ZAGREB, Tuesday, 1 October 2019 – Former Liverpool midfielder and Croatia international, Igor Biscan (41), has been named the new Croatia U-21 coach on Tuesday. 

Biscan, who stepped down as coach of NK Rijeka last month, replaces Nenad Gracan after he was sacked following Croatia’s opening loss to Scotland in EURO U-21 qualifying. 

“We are pleased with this outcome because Igor had a great playing career and will be able to transfer his experiences to our greatest talents, and as a coach he has already achieved enviable successes wherever he has worked. Therefore, we are sure that this is a great solution and we wish him much success. HNS will provide him with maximum conditions to achieve his goals, which is primarily the development of players for the senior national team,”said HNS Executive Director Marijan Kustic.

Biscan says he is looking forward to his new role. 

“I thank the HNS leadership for the confidence and desire they have shown for me to take on this position. Croatia is an inexhaustible source of great talent and that is why I look forward to this challenge. We have a very good generation that can qualify for the Euros, and it certainly has players for the senior national team. Together with my staff, I will make every effort to achieve high goals,” Biscan said. 

Biscan started his playing career in his hometown Zagreb, wearing the colours of Dinamo and Samobor. He won three Croatian titles and one Cup before moving to Liverpool in 200 where he won the Champions League, SuperCup, League Cup and Community Shield. 

He then spent two seasons at Panathinaikos in Greece before returning home to Dinamo Zagreb. He retired in 2012 and represented Croatia 15 times between 1999 and 2001. 

His coaching career started at Croatian club Rudeš, where he took them to the second division title. He then moved to Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana and won the double. In 2018 he took over the helm at NK Rijeka, helping them win the Croatian Cup.