Jovan Kirovski

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Jovan Kirovski
Kirovski with LA Galaxy at the MLS SuperDraft in 2017
Personal information
Full nameJovan Kirovski[1]
Date of birth (1976-03-18) March 18, 1976 (age 49)[1]
Place of birthEscondido, California, United States
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
PositionForward
Youth career
1991San Diego Nomads
1992Manchester United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1993–1996Manchester United0(0)
1996–2000Borussia Dortmund20(1)
1998–1999→ Fortuna Köln (loan)23(2)
2000–2001Sporting CP5(0)
2001–2002Crystal Palace36(5)
2002–2004Birmingham City23(2)
2004–2005Los Angeles Galaxy48(12)
2005–2008Colorado Rapids61(12)
2008San Jose Earthquakes9(0)
2009–2011Los Angeles Galaxy56(6)
Total281(40)
International career
1996United States U233(1)
1994–2004United States62(9)
Managerial career
2012Los Angeles Galaxy (assistant)
2013Los Angeles Galaxy (Technical Director)
2024AC Milan (Director of Sports Development)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Third placeCONCACAF Gold Cup1996
Men's Soccer
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jovan Kirovski (Macedonian: Јован Кировски; born March 18, 1976) is an American former soccer player who is the former technical director for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. Kirovski is the first American to win the UEFA Champions League (with Borussia Dortmund although he did not play in the final) and the first to score in a Champions League match. He has won an MLS Cup championship as a player, assistant coach, and technical director.

Club career

[edit]

Born in Escondido, California, Kirovski, is the son of Macedonian immigrants.[3][4] In the 1990's at age of 14 Kirovski visited Yugoslavia for a trial with Croatian club Hajduk Split, but due to the uncertain political situation at that time his parents decided to return back to the United States.[5] In 1991-92 season as a sophomore he led San Pasqual High Golden Eagles to the San Diego County title. [6] He was also a member of the San Diego Nomads from 1991.[7]

While on a tour in 1992 with the U.S. Western Region Olympic Development Squad in United Kingdom, Kirovski impressed Manchester United youth coach Steve Kelly. Kelly arranged for Kirovski to be a guest player for Glasgow Rangers in the upcoming Milk Cup, an international football youth tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. Kirovski excelled in the tournament, scoring seven goals in seven games, including the match-winner in the semifinals, and helping the team win the tournament. He joined Manchester United's youth team in 1992, becoming the first American-born player to sign with the club. He led the reserve team in scoring in 1996, but was not able to break into the first team because of work permit regulations. After that season, he signed with Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Kirovski spent the next four seasons in Germany. He played in Dortmund's 1996–97 UEFA Champions League campaign, becoming the first American to win the competition.[8] He earned significant playing time during the 1998–99 season, when Borussia loaned him out to second division club Fortuna Köln.

In 2000, Kirovski signed with Portuguese club Sporting CP. After a season there, he went back to England, signing with Football League First Division club Crystal Palace. In 2002, Kirovski signed with Birmingham City, but after one and a half seasons, he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

In his first season in MLS, Kirovski scored eight goals. In 2005, the Galaxy traded him to the Colorado Rapids for a first round pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. After spending the 2008 season with the San Jose Earthquakes, he rejoined the Galaxy in a November 2008 trade. Kirovski enjoyed a successful stint with the Galaxy, winning an MLS Cup in 2011 with the club. On January 23, 2012, Kirovski retired from soccer but remained on the coaching staff for the LA Galaxy as an assistant coach. A member of Bruce Arena's coaching staff, Kirovski helped the team repeat as MLS Cup champions in 2012.

Kirovski was appointed by the LA Galaxy as the club's technical director on January 10, 2013.[9] As Technical Director, Kirovski was instrumental in the creation of the club's USL affiliate LA Galaxy II,[10] which was established in January 2014. Kirovski served as the point man in the Galaxy's pursuit and eventual signing of Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos in August 2015.[11] He also aided the Galaxy in their signing of Jelle Van Damme a year later.[12] Kirovski served as the lead in the Galaxy's signing of 2017 team Most Valuable Player Romain Alessandrini,[13] as well as the addition of Mexican international Jonathan dos Santos in the same year. Kiroski led the team's pursuit of Swedish soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, who joined the club officially in March 2018. Kirovski's rich global network from his time as a player helped to complete the deal.[14]

International career

[edit]

Kirovski made his debut for the United States national team at the age of 18 on October 19, 1994, against Saudi Arabia, and played at the 1996 Olympics and the 1999 and 2003 editions of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Kirovski earned 62 caps in total with the US.

International goals

[edit]
Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kirovski goal.
List of international goals scored by Jovan Kirovski
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1November 22, 1994National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica Jamaica1–03–0Friendly
2December 11, 1994Titan Stadium, Fullerton, United States Honduras1–11–1Friendly
3January 21, 1996Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States Guatemala3–03–01996 CONCACAF Gold Cup
4June 17, 1997Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, United States Israel2–02–1Friendly
5February 6, 1999Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, United States Germany1–03–0Friendly
6July 24, 1999Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico New Zealand2–02–11999 FIFA Confederations Cup
7February 12, 2000Orange Bowl, Miami, United States Haiti1–03–02000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
8March 29, 2003Seattle Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, United States Venezuela1–02–0Friendly
9June 8, 2003University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond, United States New Zealand2–12–1Friendly

Coaching career

[edit]

Kirovski joined Los Angeles Galaxy as assistant coach immediately upon his retirement in January 2012.[15] In January 2013, the Galaxy appointed him as the club's technical director.[9] In June 2024, Kirovski joined AC Milan as Director of Sports Development[16] to be in charge of Milan’s Academy, including Milan Futuro, the Rossoneri’s second team.

Honors

[edit]

Borussia Dortmund

Sporting

Los Angeles Galaxy

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Jovan Kirovski". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2003). Playfair Football Annual 2003–2004. Headline. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-7553-1313-6.
  3. ^ Herbst, Dan (November 13, 1995). "A Foot In The Door". SI Vault. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  4. ^ Almond, Elliott (May 31, 2008). "Kirovski is making up for lost time with Quakes". San Jose Mercury (NewsBank). Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  5. ^ "A FOOT IN THE DOOR AIMING FOR THE FIRST TEAM, JOVAN KIROVSKI OF THE U.S. IS A MANCHESTER UNITED RESERVE".
  6. ^ "San Pasqual Tie for Title".
  7. ^ "Nomads Alumni Hall of Fame".
  8. ^ "The United States' biggest European success stories". UEFA. July 4, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Jovan Kirovski named Technical Director". LA Galaxy. January 10, 2013.
  10. ^ "LA Galaxy Insider speaks with Technical Director Jovan Kirovski on LA Galaxy II creation | LA Galaxy".
  11. ^ Baxter, Kevin (August 3, 2015). "In Galaxy's pursuit of Giovani dos Santos, persistence paid off". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ^ Baxter, Kevin (February 2, 2016). "Galaxy gets creative to acquire three European players". Los Angeles Times.
  13. ^ "Galaxy GM Peter Vagenas delighted with Alessandrini signing: "We absolutely got our number one target"". LA Galaxy. January 31, 2017.
  14. ^ "How the LA Galaxy signed Zlatan Ibrahimović". LA Galaxy. March 23, 2018.
  15. ^ "LA Galaxy name Jovan Kirovski assistant coach". LAGalaxy.com. Major League Soccer. January 23, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  16. ^ "Ibrahimovic confirms appointment of ex-LA Galaxy director Kirovski at Milan". football-italia.net. July 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Histórico da Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira" [Supercup Cândido de Oliveira all-time record] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. August 11, 2012. p. 12. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jovan_Kirovski&oldid=1323000944"

    Jovan Kirovski
    Kirovski with LA Galaxy at the MLS SuperDraft in 2017
    Personal information
    Full nameJovan Kirovski[1]
    Date of birth (1976-03-18) March 18, 1976 (age 49)[1]
    Place of birthEscondido, California, United States
    Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
    PositionForward
    Youth career
    1991San Diego Nomads
    1992Manchester United
    Senior career*
    YearsTeamApps(Gls)
    1993–1996Manchester United0(0)
    1996–2000Borussia Dortmund20(1)
    1998–1999→ Fortuna Köln (loan)23(2)
    2000–2001Sporting CP5(0)
    2001–2002Crystal Palace36(5)
    2002–2004Birmingham City23(2)
    2004–2005Los Angeles Galaxy48(12)
    2005–2008Colorado Rapids61(12)
    2008San Jose Earthquakes9(0)
    2009–2011Los Angeles Galaxy56(6)
    Total281(40)
    International career
    1996United States U233(1)
    1994–2004United States62(9)
    Managerial career
    2012Los Angeles Galaxy (assistant)
    2013Los Angeles Galaxy (Technical Director)
    2024AC Milan (Director of Sports Development)
    Medal record
    Representing  United States
    Third placeCONCACAF Gold Cup1996
    Men's Soccer
    * Club domestic league appearances and goals

    Jovan Kirovski (Macedonian: Јован Кировски; born March 18, 1976) is an American former soccer player who is the former technical director for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. Kirovski is the first American to win the UEFA Champions League (with Borussia Dortmund although he did not play in the final) and the first to score in a Champions League match. He has won an MLS Cup championship as a player, assistant coach, and technical director.

    Club career

    Born in Escondido, California, Kirovski, is the son of Macedonian immigrants.[3][4] In the 1990's at age of 14 Kirovski visited Yugoslavia for a trial with Croatian club Hajduk Split, but due to the uncertain political situation at that time his parents decided to return back to the United States.[5] In 1991-92 season as a sophomore he led San Pasqual High Golden Eagles to the San Diego County title. [6] He was also a member of the San Diego Nomads from 1991.[7]

    While on a tour in 1992 with the U.S. Western Region Olympic Development Squad in United Kingdom, Kirovski impressed Manchester United youth coach Steve Kelly. Kelly arranged for Kirovski to be a guest player for Glasgow Rangers in the upcoming Milk Cup, an international football youth tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. Kirovski excelled in the tournament, scoring seven goals in seven games, including the match-winner in the semifinals, and helping the team win the tournament. He joined Manchester United's youth team in 1992, becoming the first American-born player to sign with the club. He led the reserve team in scoring in 1996, but was not able to break into the first team because of work permit regulations. After that season, he signed with Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Kirovski spent the next four seasons in Germany. He played in Dortmund's 1996–97 UEFA Champions League campaign, becoming the first American to win the competition.[8] He earned significant playing time during the 1998–99 season, when Borussia loaned him out to second division club Fortuna Köln.

    In 2000, Kirovski signed with Portuguese club Sporting CP. After a season there, he went back to England, signing with Football League First Division club Crystal Palace. In 2002, Kirovski signed with Birmingham City, but after one and a half seasons, he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

    In his first season in MLS, Kirovski scored eight goals. In 2005, the Galaxy traded him to the Colorado Rapids for a first round pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. After spending the 2008 season with the San Jose Earthquakes, he rejoined the Galaxy in a November 2008 trade. Kirovski enjoyed a successful stint with the Galaxy, winning an MLS Cup in 2011 with the club. On January 23, 2012, Kirovski retired from soccer but remained on the coaching staff for the LA Galaxy as an assistant coach. A member of Bruce Arena's coaching staff, Kirovski helped the team repeat as MLS Cup champions in 2012.

    Kirovski was appointed by the LA Galaxy as the club's technical director on January 10, 2013.[9] As Technical Director, Kirovski was instrumental in the creation of the club's USL affiliate LA Galaxy II,[10] which was established in January 2014. Kirovski served as the point man in the Galaxy's pursuit and eventual signing of Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos in August 2015.[11] He also aided the Galaxy in their signing of Jelle Van Damme a year later.[12] Kirovski served as the lead in the Galaxy's signing of 2017 team Most Valuable Player Romain Alessandrini,[13] as well as the addition of Mexican international Jonathan dos Santos in the same year. Kiroski led the team's pursuit of Swedish soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, who joined the club officially in March 2018. Kirovski's rich global network from his time as a player helped to complete the deal.[14]

    International career

    Kirovski made his debut for the United States national team at the age of 18 on October 19, 1994, against Saudi Arabia, and played at the 1996 Olympics and the 1999 and 2003 editions of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Kirovski earned 62 caps in total with the US.

    International goals

    Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kirovski goal.
    List of international goals scored by Jovan Kirovski
    No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
    1November 22, 1994National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica Jamaica1–03–0Friendly
    2December 11, 1994Titan Stadium, Fullerton, United States Honduras1–11–1Friendly
    3January 21, 1996Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States Guatemala3–03–01996 CONCACAF Gold Cup
    4June 17, 1997Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, United States Israel2–02–1Friendly
    5February 6, 1999Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, United States Germany1–03–0Friendly
    6July 24, 1999Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico New Zealand2–02–11999 FIFA Confederations Cup
    7February 12, 2000Orange Bowl, Miami, United States Haiti1–03–02000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
    8March 29, 2003Seattle Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, United States Venezuela1–02–0Friendly
    9June 8, 2003University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond, United States New Zealand2–12–1Friendly

    Coaching career

    Kirovski joined Los Angeles Galaxy as assistant coach immediately upon his retirement in January 2012.[15] In January 2013, the Galaxy appointed him as the club's technical director.[9] In June 2024, Kirovski joined AC Milan as Director of Sports Development[16] to be in charge of Milan’s Academy, including Milan Futuro, the Rossoneri’s second team.

    Honors

    Borussia Dortmund

    Sporting

    Los Angeles Galaxy

    References

    1. ^ a b "Jovan Kirovski". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
    2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2003). Playfair Football Annual 2003–2004. Headline. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-7553-1313-6.
    3. ^ Herbst, Dan (November 13, 1995). "A Foot In The Door". SI Vault. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
    4. ^ Almond, Elliott (May 31, 2008). "Kirovski is making up for lost time with Quakes". San Jose Mercury (NewsBank). Retrieved September 30, 2010.
    5. ^ "A FOOT IN THE DOOR AIMING FOR THE FIRST TEAM, JOVAN KIROVSKI OF THE U.S. IS A MANCHESTER UNITED RESERVE".
    6. ^ "San Pasqual Tie for Title".
    7. ^ "Nomads Alumni Hall of Fame".
    8. ^ "The United States' biggest European success stories". UEFA. July 4, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
    9. ^ a b "Jovan Kirovski named Technical Director". LA Galaxy. January 10, 2013.
    10. ^ "LA Galaxy Insider speaks with Technical Director Jovan Kirovski on LA Galaxy II creation | LA Galaxy".
    11. ^ Baxter, Kevin (August 3, 2015). "In Galaxy's pursuit of Giovani dos Santos, persistence paid off". Los Angeles Times.
    12. ^ Baxter, Kevin (February 2, 2016). "Galaxy gets creative to acquire three European players". Los Angeles Times.
    13. ^ "Galaxy GM Peter Vagenas delighted with Alessandrini signing: "We absolutely got our number one target"". LA Galaxy. January 31, 2017.
    14. ^ "How the LA Galaxy signed Zlatan Ibrahimović". LA Galaxy. March 23, 2018.
    15. ^ "LA Galaxy name Jovan Kirovski assistant coach". LAGalaxy.com. Major League Soccer. January 23, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
    16. ^ "Ibrahimovic confirms appointment of ex-LA Galaxy director Kirovski at Milan". football-italia.net. July 4, 2024.
    17. ^ "Histórico da Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira" [Supercup Cândido de Oliveira all-time record] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. August 11, 2012. p. 12. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jovan_Kirovski&oldid=1323000944"