Ljubo Milicevic ‘s move to Hajduk Split might not do much for his tarnished off-field reputation, but does give him the opportunity to let his football do the talking for once.
Alongside little-known Gold Coast midfielder Steve Lustica, Milicevic was unveiled on a two-year deal and joins his boyhood club in their centenary season.
It has been an ignominious exit from the Australian game for Ljubo.
After beginning to establish himself as one of the premier defenders in the A-League at Newcastle, earning the captain’s armband, he quit the Jets midway through season six.
In typical Ljubo fashion, his antics while supposedly sidelined with an ankle injury ensured he left in controversial circumstances, leaving to pursue one of the “three or four offers” he had received in Europe.
The January deadline came and went, and Ljubo returned to play with South Melbourne, continuing tell an increasingly-disinterested football public of his European plans – while making his voice heard on plenty of other issues.
Few on here would forget his ‘rant’ and subsequent comments little over a month ago, where he accused Australian football of an anti-ethnic bias.
While he had some valid points, his sweeping generalisations and the manner in which he delivered them left a bad taste.
It was an understatement to suggest that alienated himself from the Australian public, and after a mediocre five-game stint at South Melbourne the majority sniggered as Ljubo continued to remind us all that he was going to play in Europe.
So it was highly surprising to see him wheeled out at a press conference on Wednesday in Croatia’s second-biggest city, Split.
In joining Hajduk, who finished runners-up to Dinamo Zagreb last season, Milcevic has the chance to go from semi-professional state league football in Victoria to playing in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
It would be an extraordinary turnaround in three months.
No mean feat either, and it would be wrong to suggest that Ljubo is going to walk into first-team football, in fact, it will require him to perform at his best, and even it might not be good enough.
But in a way, the planets have aligned for him; right club, right country, at the right age.
It is his once-in-a-career opportunity, and Ljubo’s time to walk the walk is now.
One of Ljubo’s favourite retorts is that he has captained FC Thun in the Champions League against Arsenal, and while these momentarily flashes have certainly been bright, they have also been fleeting.
His achievements in Europe, and other highlights such as captaining his country should make him as one of the best defenders of his generation.
Instead he risks ending a career unfulfilled, remembered for his outspoken ways off the field rather than as a quality player on it.
Regardless of the outcome, he will most likely never be welcomed back with open arms into this country, but at 30, he has more than enough time on his side to resurrect his European career.
It would be a shame to see one of Australia’s better talents of the past decade go to waste.
Time to put up or shut up, Ljubo.
Al
Guest
Perhaps one should look at the behaviour of many of these ethnic groups (specifically, the Croats and Serbs) at the local level and during old NSL games before blaming the FFA for wanting to get rid of the ethnic tinged garbage that kept the sport down in this country for so long.
Phil H
Guest
But would Ljubo want to play for Australia, given he doesn't consider himself Australian?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Someone he trusts has obviously had a word with him along the lines of: c'mon mate, pull your head in, you can't say stuff like that. By his own admission, he has had a few psychological battles, and we have to cut him some slack for that. We can only imagine how hard it must be for a professional to be completely overlooked for the NT by players who are well below him in every sense of the word, for a WC no less. I believe he initially returned to Australia, to play with the Victory, with an excellent frame of mind, but it went pear shaped very, very quickly, and he somehow found himself becoming a convenient scapegoat, and he wouldn't have had the balance and support to deal with it, which is fair enough. It has been a long, long climb back for Ljubo.
dasilva
Guest
"I definitely want to say sorry for a portion of that infamous interview . . . but in time," Well, maybe there is hope for Ljubo after all. Personally that's the only way there is redemption for Ljubo as no matter how well Ljubo performs for Hajduk, it wouldn't make up for that interview
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Ray Gatt writes about Ljubo's move this morning in the Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/socceroo-swapping-sniggers-for-messi/story-fn63e0vj-1226074517484
Realfootball
Guest
Yet another talented athlete whose career has been derailed by an unstable, narcissistic personality. He should have been playing for Australia, on his talent, in the last 2 world cups. If his antics on the Roar are a true guide to his character, one can see why he didn't. There was a good reason Hiddinck didn't include him in the squad for 2006. Hiddinck is arguably the shrewdest man manager in elite football. He knew that Ljubo wasn't worth the trouble. I hope he does well in Croatia. He has 3-4 years left at best. It is a sad postscript to his career that in Australia he is better known for his unstable off field profile than for his football. He will certainly never play for Australia again. For this he has only himself to blame.
David Heidelberg
Guest
Yeah, it is a disgrace that there have been so few Socceroos of Croatian descent.
Walt
Guest
FC Thun has a budget of less than Adelaide United. They have never won the Swiss League either. If Sash wanted to play European football, he could - somewhere. His paycheck and living standard in Korea is probably fairly comfortable methinks.
Chris K
Guest
i'm pretty sure k-league is actually stronger than swiss league, an acl champions league win rates higher then just playing group stages in ucl, because even Michael beauchamp has done that against man u. Most of those j-league k-league teams would probably tear the swiss clubs to shreds
Walt
Guest
All good, but would you pick a player for the Roos from the VSL? Probably not. The best he has done for a club is 2 years service. If he has been playing consistent, settled football leading up to Brazil 2014, I say pick him. In fact, if he makes the first team for Hajduk Split for a full season - make him captain.
Rob McLean
Guest
No comment from Ljubo yet....
Chad Bennett
Editor
It's difficult to say how the centre half situation will play out over the next three years leading into Brazil. Ognenovski, while decent at the Asian Cup doesn't quite convince me he is the man for the job - and in three years will be 35. Lucas Neill will be 36, and it's hard to say what the next three years will bring both at club and international level. I'd like to see Kisnorbo regain his pre-2010 fitness and form, and a few strong seasons could see him in the mix at 33. Of the younger players Spiranovic, maybe De Vere or Jurman seem the most likely to make the step up (although three years mightn't be enough in Jurman's case). I don't see McKain as the answer, and Jade North...no. Nobody is guaranteed either of those spots. So Ljubo can certainly play his way into this team. Given that his body hasn't had to stand up to rigorous European seasons for four years, at 30 he should still be physically and mentally fresh. The general response seems to be that most football fans would love to see Ljubo succeed. Personally, I'd love to see him put together three consistent seasons and put himself in the frame for selection.
Johnno
Guest
They should pick Ljubo for the socceroos again. surely he is better than Jade North and Sasha Olgenovski, Ljubo captained his swiss club side in a champions league match versus Arsenal, a level of football Jade North and Sash will never achieve. I like the sound of Lucas Neil partnering Ljubo in central defence for the socceroos. What do you think bloggers.
BSG
Guest
From the beginning of the FFA there has been an obvious anti-ethnic bias in the sport which is disgrace
Scarface
Guest
You had some mighty games at the Jets and at times entertaining off the feild as well Ljubo. Pity the team didnt stay together for the whole of last year. Hope it goes well for you in Europe.
MelbCro
Guest
Ljubo better keep his mouth shut at Hajduk, otherwise the Torcida will give him a good beating
Only one Joey Barton
Guest
Good luck to Ljubo, I hope he dominates. It will be interesting to see if they let him play in his favoured central midfield role..
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Ljubo is returning to his ancestral and spiritual home, and judging by the sorts of things he has said right there on the Roar in recent months, I suspect his head will be in a better space. Being thousands of miles away from Muskie and Ernie, he should be able to make a good fist of it. good luck to Ljubo
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Ljubo is one of the most technically-gifted and tactically astute footballers Australia has produced and I'm delighted his career has taken him to this Croatian powerhouse team. With Hajduk qualifying for the 2011/12 Europa League it will be a massive change from playing for Sth Melbourne in the VPL! I wish Ljubo the best of luck and, as chad.zz.bennett has said, it's time for Ljubo to deliver and I have every confidence the big man will succeed.