Velimir Crljen

Crljen played with HNK Šibenik of the Croatian First Football League in 1992.[1] In 1993, he played abroad in the Canadian National Soccer League with Toronto Croatia.[2] The following season played in the American Professional Soccer League with the Toronto Rockets. He made his debut on 8 July 1994 against Seattle Sounders.[3] In 1996, he played in the newly formed S.League with the Singapore Armed Forces FC, where he formed an instrumental triumvirate with fellow Croatian imports Ivica Raguz, and Jure Ere.[4] During his tenure with SAFFC he won the three league titles, Singapore Cup, and the Singapore FA Cup.[5]

In 2000, he returned to Canada in the role of player/coach for Toronto Croatia in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.[6] Crljen managed to achieve a CPSL Championship after defeating the Toronto Olympians.[7] After a one-year absence he returned to Singapore to sign with Jurong FC.[8][9] In 2002, he permanently returned to Toronto Croatia, where he would eventually make the full transition from a player to a manager.[10] He won his second CPSL Championship as a player in 2004.[11]

In 2003, he resumed his dual role of player/coach for Toronto.[12] After a year sabbatical from coaching, he returned to manage in 2005 and was named the head coach for the 2006 CSL All-Star team.[13] In 2009, he fully retired from competitive soccer and returned to managing Toronto Croatia, where he was dismissed at the conclusion of the season.[14] He returned in 2011 to lead Croatia to a championship, and followed by a double in 2012.[15][16] In 2012, he was recognized by the league with the Coach of the Year award.[17] He added another championship title in 2015, making Crljen one of the most successful managers in CPSL/CSL history.[18][19]