Zvonimir Boban returns to Dinamo Zagreb in new role
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Zvonimir Boban (Photo credit: Kremlin.ru/CC BY 4.0)
Croatian football legend Zvonimir Boban is officially back at his beloved Dinamo Zagreb.
The club confirmed on that the former captain will take over as CEO (President of the Management Board) from 1 June.
His comeback was announced by the club on social media and later made official at a press conference held at Maksimir Stadium this afternoon.
Alongside Boban at the unveiling were Zvonimir Manenica, the outgoing CEO, and Velimir Zajec, Dinamo’s current president.
“I usually speak from the heart, but today I had to write things down,” said Boban during his speech. “I want to thank my idol Velimir Zajec for the trust he’s shown me. Zeko, I hope to justify it. A big thanks as well to the Executive Board – true Dinamo men – who brought this club back to its people.”
Boban also paid tribute to Manenica, praising him for stepping aside gracefully and for remaining grounded despite the pressures of the role.
“Most people in your position tend to suddenly think they’re smarter than Guardiola. That didn’t happen with you, and I thank you for it,” Boban joked.
He wished the team and coach a strong finish to the season and reflected emotionally on his long-standing bond with Dinamo.
“I first walked into Maksimir from the old barracks on 1 September 1992. The desire is still the same today,” he said, before stepping away from the media, smiling but leaving questions for another time. “I know you journalists won’t make it easy for me – but I won’t make it easy for you either,” he added with a grin.
Zajec also spoke warmly of the appointment, calling it a natural decision.
“Zvone is Dinamo and Dinamo is Zvone. I want to thank everyone at the club, especially Zvonimir Manenica for showing that no one is above the club. I look forward to working together and building an even stronger Dinamo,” Zajec said.
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Zvonimir Boban, now 56, played over 100 matches for Dinamo before moving to AC Milan in 1991, where he became a key figure in one of Europe’s greatest football sides.
In 2016, Boban took on the role of FIFA’s Deputy Secretary-General. He left FIFA in 2019 to rejoin AC Milan as Chief Football Officer, and in 2021, he was made UEFA’s first-ever Chief of Football.
Now, more than three decades later, he returns to help lead the club he never stopped loving.
