Ivan Franjic reflects on his stellar career and his move into coaching with Melbourne Knights

Ivan Franjic first ran out for Melbourne Knights as a seven-year-old and he’ll run out for the final time this Sunday. He discusses a storied career and what’s next.

Ivan Franjic through the years.

Ivan Franjic first stepped out for Melbourne Knights as a seven-year-old.

On Sunday he’ll run out for his beloved club for the final time against NPL Victoria rival Green Gully at Gully Reserve.

It’s been quite the journey in between.

Three A-League premierships and championships, a season in Russia and later South Korea, 20 Socceroos caps, an Asian Cup trophy and named in the PFA A-League Team of the Decade.

“It’s been an amazing journey, I’m very fortunate to get to where I’ve got,” Franjic said.

Ivan Franjic celebrates with his family after a game for Melbourne Knights earlier this year. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“It’s a lot of hard work that people don’t see behind the scenes, so I’m blessed to have had the career I’ve had.

“When you do look back, I’ve won a lot of things and it’s hard to pick one but playing for your country and winning major tournaments is very special.”

He called time after 242 A-League appearances with Brisbane, Melbourne City, Perth Glory and Macarthur in 2021.

After a season at Heidelberg United, he returned to Knights Stadium and captained the club in its 70th year, helping the club reach a NPL Victoria preliminary final and Australia Cup semi-final.

When the club decided to move on from coach Ben Surey mid-season, it turned to its favourite son to take the reins.

The move into coaching led to the decision to hang up the boots.

Up-and-coming Melbourne Knight Ivan Franjic.

Ivan Franjic on the international stage against Croatia.

“It’s the first club I every played for, as a seven year-old,” Franjic said.

“We grew up watching Melbourne Knights back in the day, it was like religion, every home game we were there and seeing some great players come through the club and go onto great things.

“Obviously taking over as player-coach mid-season it’s not easy doing both.

“I thought about it long and hard and coaching is the next chapter, something I’ve always wanted to do after football.

“Now I’ve got the opportunity, I want to take it with both hands and be 100 per cent focused on it.”

Franjic has played under some of Australia’s best coaches, most notably under Ange Postecoglou at the Roar and with the Socceroos.

He played under current Ajax manager John van’t Schip at Melbourne City, ex-Socceroo John Aloisi at Brisbane, Tony Popovic at Glory and Ante Milicic at the Bulls.

He’s also played under local luminaries such as Chris Taylor, George Katsakis and Ben Cahn.

Ivan Franjic in action for Perth Glory.

Ivan Franjic in action for Macarthur.

Melbourne Knights missed finals this season but Franjic is confident he can build the club back to where it belongs.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have some very good coaches throughout my career,” he said.

“You look at drills they do, what you like, what you thing works and as a coach you need your own philosophy, so you take you think will work and try to educate the boys you’re coaching.

“I came back to play and (coaching) wasn’t something I expected but they thought I was the best person for the job at the time.

“You take these opportunities as a blessing and the boys have been amazing, they’ve really listened and been disciplined.

“Next year it’s about building a team to make Knights challenge for titles again.

“We have a core of players to build the team around and hopefully we can strengthen a few key areas and challenge the top four teams.”

Given the depth of his career, you can imagine the legends he has shared a changeroom with.

Those experiences will also reflect in his coaching approach.

“When you start playing for you’re country, you’re talking about the best of the best,” he said.

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“When you come in as a young boy, you look up to the older boys and learn so much.

“Mark Schwarzer was always a professional, Timmy Cahill and Mile Jedinak, you learn a lot from these players.”

Franjic still hopes to have a kick at the lower levels next season when his coaching commitments allow.

Melbourne Knights wrap up the season at Gully Reserve at 3pm.