Date of birth: 9 September 1961
Nationality: Slovenian
Playing career: NK Maribor (twice), SV Spittal/Drau, Grazer AK
Coaching career: NK Maribor, Slovenia (youth), Slovenia

• Born in Maribor, he began a long affiliation with the local club as a player. Featured from 1979 to 1984 in the Yugoslavian Federal League before leaving for Austria.

• Spent a decade in Austria's lower leagues with Spittal/Drau and GAK – earning one cap for Slovenia in 1992 while with the latter – before returning home and winning a hat-trick of Slovenian titles at Maribor between 1997 and 1999 as well as two national cups.

• Turned to coaching immediately after hanging up his boots and was on the staff for four further Maribor championship wins before taking charge permanently for the 2003/04 season.

• Appointed coach of Slovenia's Under-15 and U16 teams in 2006 before the call came to replace senior head coach Branko Oblak midway through UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying campaign in January 2007.

• Endured difficult start to reign with youthful team but came good to eventually steer Slovenia to 2010 FIFA World Cup finals after a famous away-goals victory over Russia in the play-offs. Creditable performances in South Africa although Slovenia failed to progress from group stage.