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Mladen BartolovicBosnian footballer, striker, coach
Date of Birth: 10.04.1977
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Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Professional Career
- International Career
- Coaching Career
- Cibalia Manager
- Post-Cibalia Career
Early Life and Career
Despite his short stature (169 cm), Mladen Bartolovic initially pursued basketball as a child. However, the outbreak of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina limited opportunities for serious basketball training. At the age of sixteen, he switched to football, playing for Zavidavici, Capljina, and Ljubuski.
Professional Career
At seventeen, Bartolovic moved to Croatia and joined Segesta under the guidance of renowned coach Zlatko Kranjcar. He made his professional debut and scored his first goal against Cibalia. In 1998, Cibalia acquired Bartolovic, and he quickly became one of the club's most successful players. He played 255 matches and scored 58 goals for Cibalia, making him their top scorer in the Croatian First League and third highest in appearances.
International Career
Bartolovic represented the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team seventeen times but did not score any goals.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Bartolovic began his coaching career at Cibalia with the youth team and as an assistant to head coach Damir Milinovic. In the summer of 2016, he was appointed head coach of Bedem Ivankovo in the Croatian third division.
Cibalia Manager
In March 2017, Bartolovic took over as manager of Cibalia, who were at the bottom of the Croatian league table. He successfully kept the team in the First League. However, on March 18, 2018, he was dismissed after Cibalia lost 1-5 to Rijeka.
Post-Cibalia Career
Despite being relieved of his duties as manager, Bartolovic remained at Cibalia as the head scout and one of the directors of the football academy.
