Mon 23rd Apr 2007

Sydney FC today announced Branko Culina's appointment as the Hyundai A-League club's head coach after he signed a two-year contract that upgrades his position from interim to full time.

Culina got the job on a full-time basis after leading Sydney FC to five wins in eight games, including an historic 2-1 away defeat of China's Shanghai Shenhua - the first-ever victory recorded by an Australian club in Asia's premier club competition, the AFC Champions League.

Sydney FC chief executive officer George Perry believes that Culina is the right man to restore the inaugural Hyundai A-League champion to the position of Australia's leading football club - and keep it there.

"Branko's coaching record in Australian football is enviable, not only in terms of performance but also longevity. I am confident that Branko's superb technical know-how, strong disciplinary skills and unparalleled knowledge of the local football landscape will provide Sydney FC with great success on the field and greater stability off it," said Perry.

"The Hyundai A-League should be about showcasing, developing and promoting Australian football talent. With Branko's signing, I believe that Sydney FC has secured one of this country's finest coaches."

Culina, whose first match in charge of Sydney FC following his status change is versus Persik Kediri at Parramatta Stadium on Wednesday night, joins the club in wanting to be Australian football's benchmark.

"I am delighted to be part of what has the undoubted potential to be the biggest football club in Australia and looking forward to putting Sydney FC back where it belongs - on top of the Hyundai A-League ladder, as well as challenging for honours overseas," said Culina.

Branko Culina factfile
Personal details
Date of birth: October 1, 1957 (49 years old)
Place of birth: Zadar, Croatia (moved to Australia in 1968)
Family: Married to Nada with two sons, Dean and Jason

Coaching career
2007- Sydney FC
2003-2007 Football NSW (including 2005 NSW State Team)
2001-2003 Sydney United (club's longest serving coach)
1998-2001 Sydney Olympic (club's longest serving coach)
1997-1998 Canberra Cosmos
1994-1997 Sydney United
1993 Melbourne Knights
1990-1992 North Geelong
1989 St Albans

Coaching honours
2001-2002 Preliminary Finalist (Sydney Olympic)
1999-2000 Major Semi-Finalist (Sydney Olympic)
1997 Premiership Winner (Sydney United)
1997 Waratah Cup Winner (Sydney United)
1997 Grand Finalist (Sydney United)
1996 Waratah Cup Winner (Sydney United)
1995-1996 Major Semi-Finalist (Sydney United)
1994-1995 Major Semi-Finalist (Sydney United)
1992 Champion/Grand Final Winner (North Geelong)
1992 Premier League/Premiership Winner (North Geelong)
1991 Division One Champion (North Geelong)
1989 State Cup Runner-Up (St Albans)
1989 State League Semi-Finalist (St Albans)

Playing career
1982-1988 St Albans
1981 Blacktown City
1980 Sydney United
1974-1980 Melbourne Knights