Mark Rudan
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Marko Ante Rudan | ||
| Date of birth | 27 August 1975 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Sydney United 58 | |||
| 1992–1993 | AIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1993–1998 | Sydney United | 73 | (6) |
| 1998–2000 | Northern Spirit | 46 | (2) |
| 2000–2002 | Alemannia Aachen | 45 | (1) |
| 2002 | Nanjing Yoyo | 24 | (3) |
| 2003–2004 | Sydney United | 37 | (0) |
| 2004 | Public Bank | 21 | (4) |
| 2005–2007 | Sydney FC | 61 | (6) |
| 2008 | Avispa Fukuoka | 26 | (0) |
| 2009 | FC Vaduz | 17 | (1) |
| 2009–2010 | Adelaide United | 19 | (0) |
| Total | 371 | (23) | |
| National team | |||
| 1993–1995 | Australia U-20 | 21 | (3) |
| 1995–1996 | Australia U-23 | 14 | (2) |
| – | Australia | 2 | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2011–2012 | Rockdale City Suns | ||
| 2013– | Sydney United 58 | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Mark Rudan (born 27 August 1975) is an Australian former footballer and current head coach of National Premier Leagues NSW side Sydney United 58. Mark was one of the inaugural inductees into the Sydney FC Hall of Fame in 2015.
Club career
Rudan joined NSL club Sydney United in 1993 at completion of the AIS program. He spent much of his five seasons at United totalling 73 NSL appearances by the end of the 1997–98 season. He was signed to new club Northern Spirit for the 1998–99 NSL season. In the first match of the season he was sent off. After serving a one-match suspension, he made amends in Round 3 scoring twice in a 2–1 win. He went on to start almost all matches that year, although saw red again in Round 16 (also against Olympic). Spirit finished fifth, but were eliminated in the first semi-final stage. Rudan was again a key figure in the 1999–00 season, playing 22 games, a less successful year for the club, slumping to the bottom half of the table.
Overseas
In mid-2000, unhappy with his situation at Spirit, Rudan bought out the remainder of his contract and moved to German second division club Alemannia Aachen on a free transfer. Eligibility for a Croatian passport ensured he could play in Europe. The move started well on the pitch, working his way into the first team, but he would later become embroiled in a corruption scandal known as the 'suitcase affair'.[1] In 2001, allegations of financial irregularity arose over the transfers of Rudan and fellow Australian Goran Lozanovski. Rudan was arrested by German authorities and later released.[2] Charges were eventually laid on Aachen's treasurer Bernd Krings, who was convicted of financial fraud. It was revealed that persons claiming to represent Rudan and Northern Spirit collected DM290,000 in a suitcase from Aachen as a transfer fee. Documents outlining the transfer fee were shown to be falsified as Spirit neither requested or received any fee for the player. Similar circumstances were revealed surrounding Lozanovski's transfer from South Melbourne, but both players were cleared of any wrongdoing.[3]
Rudan returned to on-field matters but unable to settle in the team, he and the club sought to part ways. After rumoured transfers to other German clubs,[4] he was released by Aachen in January 2002.[5] He continued on to a spell at Nanjing Yoyo in the Chinese first-division,[6] before returning to Australia to link up again with Sydney United. Now a seasoned player with international experience, Rudan appeared regularly for the NSL club throughout the 2002–03 calendar but could not help them reach the finals round. He cemented his place in the team for the next (and ultimately last) NSL season. After missing the first match through injury, Rudan played every remaining game for United that year. With the Australian league collapsing he again sought a move overseas, joining Public Bank in the new Malaysian Super League, where he won the defender of the year award helping his team achieve its best ever finish to a season in 2nd place.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC's formation as a new club in 2005 for the new A-League included enticing Australians playing abroad to return home. Mark was signed into the inaugural squad and honoured as club captain.[7] It was not until late in the season playing solidly in the last regular season matches and scoring the winner against Adelaide United in the semi-final second-leg, and Sydney went on to win the final and became the inaugural A-League Champions.
Yorke's departure as the 2006–07 season started, saw Rudan reinstated as captain but the year started on a low as Mark was sent off after just 14 minutes against Melbourne Victory in the second match of the new season.[8] He returned from suspension for new coach Terry Butcher. After Sydney were knocked out during the domestic finals competition, the club continued on to the 2007 AFC Champions League. Rudan captained the side through the group matches, playing all six games, and drawing upon his previous experiences in Asian football. With the arrival of Socceroo hero Tony Popovic at the start of the 2007–08 season, Rudan handed him the captaincy.[9]
On 15 December 2007, Rudan farewelled a home crowd of 12,530 following their 4–2 defeat to Perth Glory. Popovic handed his captaincy back to Rudan for this final game. His time at Sydney FC was extremely successful. He is remembered as the clubs first Footballing Legend as more than 4000 fans waited outside the stadium singing his name after the game in acknowledgement of his achievements for the club.
Avispa Fukuoka
In December 2007, Rudan signed a deal with J. League side Avispa Fukuoka, linking up with his former coach of Sydney FC Pierre Littbarski and replacing former teammate Alvin Ceccoli.[10]
FC Vaduz
On 6 January 2009, Rudan signed for Axpo Super League (Switzerland 1st division) team FC Vaduz, based in Liechtenstein on a free transfer. The contract ran until 30 June 2010. He again linked up with his former manager at Avispa Fukuoka.[11]
Adelaide United
On 6 August 2009, before the start of the 2009–10 A-League season, Rudan joined Adelaide United on a one-year contract. Despite this, United announced he would not play against Perth Glory on 7 August in the Reds' first game of the new season. He left Adelaide after their final group game in the AFC Champions League as he announced his retirement as a player, and intends to move into coaching.[12]
International career
Rudan's footballing talent was first recognised in 1992 as he was granted a place in the AIS program, aimed at developing players for national youth teams. He joined the Young Socceroos squad for a South American tour in 1993, including a youth tournament mostly including club sides. Rudan was made vice captain to Mark Viduka in Australia's undefeated Youth World Cup qualifying campaign and scored the only goal of the Oceania final against New Zealand. As part of the squad for the 1995 Youth World Cup, Rudan played three of Australia's four matches including their second round exit in extra time at the hands of Portugal. He progressed his way into the national under-23 team and played most matches qualifying for the Olympics in Atlanta.
Coaching career
After his short stint at Adelaide United and the announcement of his professional retirement as a player, Rudan moved into coaching, becoming the first grade coach for first division NSW club, Rockdale City Suns in 2011.[13]
In 2013, Rudan departed from Rockdale City Suns and was appointed head coach of Sydney United 58.[14] In his first season, Rudan helped win the NSW Premier League Premiership and then go on to win the inaugural season of the National Premier Leagues with his old club, which also saw him pick up the 2013 Coach of the Year.
Personal life
Rudan once featured in an episode of an Australian version of The Biggest Loser TV show, airing on 28 February 2006. Rudan was manager of the "Blue team" of contestants. Then Sydney FC teammate Dwight Yorke was manager of the red team. He is of Croat origin.
Since retiring from football, Rudan has joined Fox Sports as a pundit for their football coverage. Rudan currently features on Matchday Saturday and Fox Sports's weekly A-League highlights show.
Rudan's elder sister Mariana is a presenter on Australian football program The World Game.[15]
Mark Rudan is also a supporter of his former Hyundai A-League club Sydney FC.
Honours
- Club
- NSL Premiership: 1996–97
- Liechtenstein Cup: 2010
- Coach/Manager
- NSW Premier League Premiership: 2013
- National Premier Leagues Champion: 2013
- Personal
- Sydney United NSL Youth Player of the Year 1993
- Public Bank Malaysian Defender of the Year 2004
- Sydney FC Chairman's Award: 2005–06
- Sydney United NSW Coach of the Year 2013
Career statistics
| Club | League | Season | League | Playoffs | Cup | Int'l Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Gls | Apps | Gls | Apps | Gls | Apps | Gls | Apps | Gls | |||
| Sydney United | NSL | 1993–94 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 |
| 1994–95 | 7 | 2 | – | – | 0 | – | – | – | 7 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 17 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 17 | 0 | ||
| Northern Spirit | NSL | 1998–99 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 24 | 2 |
| 1999–00 | 22 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 22 | 0 | ||
| Alemannia Aachen | 2.Bundesliga | 2000–01 | 11 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 11 | 1 |
| 2001–02 | 4 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 | 0 | ||
| Nanjing Yoyo | Jia A | 2002 | 24 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 24 | 3 |
| Sydney United | NSL | 2002–03 | 14 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2003–04 | 23 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Public Bank | MSL | 2004 | 21 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 21 | 4 |
| Sydney FC | A-League | 2005–06 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 3 |
| 2006–07 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 30 | 3 | ||
| 2007–08 | 15 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | – | – | 20 | 0 | ||
| Avispa Fukuoka | J.League 2 | 2008 | 26[16] | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 26 | 0 |
| FC Vaduz | Swiss Super League | 2009 | 17 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 17 | 0 |
| Adelaide United | A-League | 2010–11 | 19 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 19 | 0 |
| Career totals | – | – | ||||||||||
'International Cup' matches refer to UEFA, AFC and Club World Cup competitions.
References
- ↑ Schumacher, Wolfgang (6 November 2002). "Anklage gegen Ex-Alemannen Rudan" (in German). Aachener Nachrichten. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ McDermott, Quentin (27 May 2002). "Final Whistle?". ABC TV. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ "Geldkoffer-Prozess: Frano Zelic entlastet Bernd Krings" (in German). Alemannia Aachen. 21 October 2003. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ "January 2002 transfer rumours". globalsoccertransfers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ "Released players in quarter I/2002". globalsoccertransfers.com. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ Wilson, Cameron (6 March 2007). "The Aussies are Coming: Shenhua v Sydney FC". Shanghaiist.com. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
- ↑ "Long time coming for Rudan". AAP. 2 March 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2006.
- ↑ "Butcher blows stack after star floored, Rudan sent off". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 September 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ↑ Davutovic, David (27 May 2007). "Sydney FC taking time out". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ↑ "Rudan leaves Sydney FC for Japan". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 December 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- ↑ "Australier Rudan verpflichtet" (in German). fcvaduz.li. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011.
- ↑ "Rudan exits from Adelaide". au.fourfourtwo.com. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ "Mark Rudan to lead Rockdale City Suns". the real game. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ "2014 Coaching Staff". sydneyunited58fc.com. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- ↑ "Mariana Rudan". SBS Sport. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ↑ 選手出場記録 (in Japanese). j-league.or.jp. Retrieved 11 May 2013.