Ivan Buljan


Ivan "Iko" Buljan is Croatian sport manager and a former Yugoslavian footballer, who played as a defender. He was a member of the Yugoslavia squad at the 1974 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1976.

Playing career

Ethnically Croatian, he had a successful career as a defender and was capped for the Yugoslavia national team 36 times. He reached the European Cup final 1979–80 with Hamburger SV where the club ultimately lost to Nottingham Forest F.C.. He is also known by his nickname Iko.
Buljan started his career with local club NK Mračaj before moving to the first-league team Hajduk Split in 1967. In 1975, he was selected as Večernji list's top player in Yugoslavia. Buljan finally left Hajduk in 1977 for Hamburger SV where he played until 1981. He then finished his career with two seasons with the New York Cosmos.

Managerial career

From 2008 to 2009, he was the sporting director at HNK Hajduk Split.

Honours

Individual