Legendary Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić, one of the most decorated players of his generation, has officially stepped off the pitch and into a new challenge — taking over as the Technical Director of HNK Hajduk Split.
After an illustrious career that spanned Schalke, Sevilla, Barcelona, and the Croatian national team — bringing him a Champions League trophy, multiple domestic titles, and over 100 international caps including a World Cup silver medal — Rakitić has returned to Split. But this time, not to wear the captain’s armband or orchestrate play from midfield, but to help shape Hajduk’s future from behind the scenes.
Just days after announcing his retirement, Rakitić began this new chapter at Poljud. Working side by side with Sporting Director Goran Vučević, he will oversee the first team’s squad and coaching staff, bringing not only his footballing pedigree but also the leadership and knowledge he accumulated in some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Q&A Highlights
Q: What drives you in this new role, just off the field?
Ivan: Everything I built as a player—experience, contacts, football intelligence—it all has one purpose now: to lift Hajduk forward. Whether it’s finding young talents, constructing a competitive squad, or supporting the coach—I’m here to work and make a difference.
Q: How does this transition feel, emotionally?
Ivan: Football gave me more than I ever dreamed—friends, joy, frustration, pride. Saying ‘until later’ was hard, but now I know I’m not leaving it behind; I’m evolving with it. This club, this mission, it’s in my blood.
Q: Did you know this moment would come—when the boots would be replaced by the office chair?
Ivan: Yes, deep down I always knew the day would come when I’d swap the boots for the director’s chair. I wasn’t afraid of it; I was preparing myself. Football is my passion, and I wanted to stay in the game in a role where I can make an impact.
Q: How did you prepare yourself for this new chapter?
Ivan: In the last few years of my career I paid a lot of attention to how big clubs function—how directors, coaches, and staff handle their responsibilities. I was observing, learning, and asking myself: which role would fit me best? That curiosity led me to this point. And of course, I had the privilege of being part of Barcelona, Sevilla, Schalke and many other great clubs, where I was not only a player on the field but also involved in conversations, negotiations and decisions. Those experiences gave me a unique perspective, and now they are part of the foundation for my work as a director.
Q: Why the position of Technical Director?
Ivan: I decided to start with the position of Technical Director because it allows me to connect everything I love—working with players, shaping the squad, and thinking about the bigger picture. Time will tell where I’ll end up, but right now, this role feels natural and exciting.
Q: And finally, what does football mean to you now?
Ivan: Football has always been my life and my greatest passion. That hasn’t changed—it just has a new form. Instead of expressing it on the pitch, I now channel it into supporting others, helping the team, and pushing Hajduk forward. That passion will never leave me.
Ivan Rakitić brings to this role not only a trove of accolades—Champions League titles, national trophies, over 600 club matches and more than 100 caps for Croatia—but also a deep connection to Hajduk, where he spent his final season and solidified his legacy. As he steps into the club’s leadership, expectations are soaring—not just for tactical decisions, but for strategic vision.
Nextsportnews will closely track how Rakitić’s fresh perspective and global insight reshape Hajduk’s future both on and off the pitch.
