Luka Lalić
Luka Lalić (Serbian Cyrillic: Лука Лалић) is a Serbian football manager currently working as Academy Director for Lion City Sailors FC.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Luka Lalić | ||
| Date of birth | 20 May 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Belgrade, Serbia | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | LC Sailors (Academy Director) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2006 | FK Vozdovac | 6 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2004–2005 | Serbia U17 | 3 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2008 | FK Partizan (Volunteer) | ||
| 2008–2011 | AFC (Individual Coach) | ||
| 2011–2013 | BKFC (Fitness Coach) | ||
| 2013–2014 | WWFC (Assistant Coach) | ||
| 2011–2016 | Turf City FC (Head of Youth) | ||
| 2016–2020 | Feyenoord (Youth Coach) | ||
| 2020– | LC Sailors (Academy Director) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Early coaching career
Just after breaking into the first team of FK Vozdovac at the age of seventeen, Luka had to end his career due to heart condition. Upon recovery he focused on individual coaching, creating several training programs focused on improving players' physical capabilities. He was also a short-term volunteer coach with Partizan Belgrade.
Asia
After a few short spells across the Asian continent, Luka eventually founded the first-ever professional academy in Southeast Asia called Turf City FC. Simultaneously, he was also assisting with the first team at Balestier Khalsa, winning the Singapore League Cup with the team in 2013, followed by a short spell with Woodlands Wellington FC. Between 2014 and 2016 Turf City FC teams traveled for various tournaments and tours across Western Europe achieving formidable results along the way. Players from Luka's development program have been picked up by professional teams such as Manchester City F.C., Feyenoord, Fulham F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Leeds United F.C. and many more.
Feyenoord
During a successful Netherlands tour with Turf City FC in October of 2016, Luka was offered a coaching internship at Feyenoord Academy by Martin van Geel, Feyenoord's Technical director at the time. Eventually, he agreed to the position of international development coach with the club. About a year later, he was awarded a permanent contract and a position as Head of Methodology. However, Luka ended his contract in May 2020 in order to return to Asia.
Lion City Sailors FC
in June 2020 it was announced that Luka has joined Lion City Sailors FC as Academy Director.