Željko Rodić

Željko Rodić (; July 31, 1952 – November 2, 2016) was a Croatian Serb footballer who most notably played with Željezničar Sarajevo.

Club career Born at the island of Vis, he started his career in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1966 when he joined the youth team of FK Željezničar Sarajevo. Playing as the attacker, he would become senior in 1970. He spent a short 6 months loan spell with FK Famos Hrasnica in 1971, before returning to Željezničar and becoming part of the memorable generation that became Yugoslav champions in the 1971–72 season. Afterwards he would be part of the team in the qualifying matches for the UEFA European youth championship.

Rodić spent a total of 10 years with Željezničar before moving in 1976 to Yugoslav Second League side NK Jedinstvo Bihać. where he finished the season.

In 1981, he opted for a new challenge by moving to the United States and joining the indoor soccer team Buffalo Stallions. The season lasted six months, however because of a knee injury Rodić returned to Yugoslavia earlier. He finished his playing career in 1982 playing with Šparta Beli Manastir.

Post-playing career After retiring he got a football coaching diploma in 1984, however beside coaching minor clubs such as NK LIO Osijek, NK Darda and NK Šparta Beli Manastir, he did not engage in a more involving coaching career. Instead he opted for a career in business, having owned a cafe in Beli Manastir since 1982. As the Croatian War of Independence started in 1991, Rodić stayed in the city that was occupied by the Republic of Serbian Krajina. After the peaceful reintegration of the territory back into Croatia in 1998, Rodić was harassed and was sued regarding his property by a group of Croats, and the lawsuits had protracted to 2002.

Honours Player Club Željezničar Sarajevo Yugoslav First League: 1971–72