Goce Sedloski

Goce Sedloski
Sedloski pictured while a part of SV Mattersburg
Personal information
Full name Goce Sedloski
Date of birth (1974-04-10) 10 April 1974
Place of birth Golemo Konjari, SR Macedonia, Yugoslavia
(now North Macedonia)
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Vardar (manager)
Youth career
–1994 Pobeda
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1996 Pobeda 1 (0)
1996–1998 Hajduk Split 60 (7)
1998 Sheffield Wednesday 4 (0)
1998–2004 Dinamo Zagreb 121 (22)
2004 Vegalta Sendai 21 (3)
2005 Dinamo Zagreb 17 (2)
2005–2006 Diyarbakırspor 27 (3)
2006–2011 SV Mattersburg 134 (11)
Total 368 (43)
International career
1996–2010 Macedonia 100 (8)
Managerial career
2010–2013 SV Mattersburg (assistant)
2011–2012 Macedonia (assistant)
2012 Macedonia (caretaker)
2013–2014 Turnovo
2015–2017 Vardar
2018 Riga
2018–2019 Široki Brijeg
2020 Dinamo Zagreb II
2021–2023 Shkupi
2023 Vllaznia
2023–2024 Rabotnički
2024– Vardar
2025– Macedonia
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Goce Sedloski (Macedonian: Гоце Седлоски; born 10 April 1974) is a Macedonian professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of the North Macedonia national football team and FK Vardar. A prominent central defender during his playing career, he is the first player in the history of the national team to earn 100 caps.

Sedloski's playing career was highlighted by a highly successful tenure at Dinamo Zagreb, where he won three Croatian First Football League titles, three Croatian Cups, and two Super Cups. He also played in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday and had stints in Japan, Turkey, and Austria, most notably with SV Mattersburg, where he made over 130 appearances. Internationally, he represented North Macedonia between 1996 and 2010, scoring eight goals and serving as the team's captain for several years.[1]

As a manager, Sedloski has won domestic league titles in two different countries, leading Vardar to consecutive Macedonian First Football League championships in 2016 and 2017, and KF Shkupi to their first-ever title in 2022. He also secured the Latvian Higher League title with Riga FC in 2018. In December 2025, following a successful campaign with Vardar that included winning the 2024–25 Macedonian Football Cup, the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) appointed him as the head coach of the national team to succeed Blagoja Milevski.[2] Under a dual-role agreement, he remained in charge of Vardar for the remainder of the 2025–26 season while preparing the national squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs.[3][4]

Club career

Sedloski began his professional career in 1994 with Pobeda Prilep, where he played for two seasons before moving to the Croatian side Hajduk Split in 1996. After making 60 appearances for Hajduk, he was signed by English Premier League club Sheffield Wednesday in February 1998 for a reported fee of £750,000.[5] His stint in England was brief, consisting of only four league appearances before he returned to Croatia to join Dinamo Zagreb in January 1999.

At Dinamo Zagreb, Sedloski enjoyed the most successful period of his playing career, winning three Croatian First Football League titles, three Croatian Cups, and two Super Cups. He also became the first foreign player to captain the club.[6] In 2004, he spent a half-season on loan with J1 League club Vegalta Sendai before returning to Dinamo for the first half of 2005. He subsequently played for Diyarbakırspor in Turkey during the 2005–06 season. Sedloski finished his playing career in Austria with SV Mattersburg, where he played for five seasons between 2006 and 2011, making 134 league appearances and scoring 10 goals.[7]

Following his retirement, Sedloski transitioned into management. After successful spells with FK Vardar and KF Shkupi, where he won multiple league titles, he was appointed as the head coach of the North Macedonia national football team in December 2025.[6]

International career

Sedloski made his international debut for the Macedonia national team on 27 March 1996 in a 1–0 friendly victory against Malta. Over the next 14 years, he became a fixture in the national side's defense and served as the team's captain for much of his tenure. He is notably the first player in the history of the national team to reach the milestone of 100 international caps.

His 100th and final appearance occurred on 29 May 2010 during a 3–1 friendly win against Azerbaijan in Bischofshofen, Austria, after which he officially retired from international play. During his career, Sedloski recorded eight international goals. His scoring record included goals in competitive qualifiers, such as a strike against Estonia during UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying and a goal against Armenia in the 2006 World Cup qualifying cycle. At the time of his retirement, he held the record for the most appearances for his country, a record that stood until it was surpassed by Goran Pandev in 2019.

Managerial Career

Early career and interim roles

Sedloski began his coaching career in Austria as an assistant to Franz Lederer at SV Mattersburg from 2010 to 2012. In August 2012, the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) appointed him as the interim manager of the North Macedonia national team for a single friendly match against Lithuania, which resulted in a 1–0 victory.[8]

FK Horizont Turnovo

In 2013, Sedloski accepted his first head coaching role at FK Horizont Turnovo. During the 2013–14 season, he led the club to a second-place finish in the Macedonian First Football League, the highest in the club's history. Under his management, Turnovo debuted in European competition during the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League, where they defeated Lithuanian side FK Sūduva on penalties before being eliminated by HNK Hajduk Split.

FK Vardarm

Sedloski joined FK Vardar in 2014, initially serving as the club's sporting director before being named head coach in 2015. His first tenure was defined by domestic dominance, as he guided Vardar to consecutive league titles in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. He also secured the Macedonian Football Super Cup in 2015. He resigned in August 2017 following the club's failure to progress past the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.[9]

Riga FC

In January 2024, Sedloski was appointed as the head coach of Latvian Higher League club Riga FC, succeeding Tomislav Stipić.[10] In his first full season, he led the club to a second-place finish in the 2024 Virslīga, narrowly losing the title to rivals FK RFS on the final matchday. He also guided the team to the final of the 2024 Latvian Football Cup, where they were defeated in a penalty shootout.

During the 2025 campaign, Sedloski implemented a more defensive tactical structure, which resulted in Riga FC securing their first league title since 2020. The championship was confirmed in November 2025 following a 2–0 victory over FK Valmiera.[11] Under his management, the club also achieved success in European competition, reaching the league phase of the UEFA Conference League for the 2025–26 season. In January 2026, the club's board announced that Sedloski had signed a contract extension through the end of the 2027 season, citing his role in developing young Latvian talents alongside the club's international roster.[12]

Široki Brijeg

On 31 August 2018, Sedloski was appointed as the head coach of NK Široki Brijeg, succeeding Boris Pavić.[13] During the 2018–19 season, he guided the team to a third-place finish in the league and reached the final of the 2018–19 Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Cup, where they were defeated by FK Sarajevo 3–1 on aggregate.

Sedloski resigned from his position on 23 July 2019, following a 1–0 home defeat against FC Kairat in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League and a draw in the opening match of the domestic season against NK Čelik Zenica.[14] His tenure at the Pecara Stadium was characterized by a disciplined defensive approach, though he cited the need for a "new energy" within the squad upon his departure.

In retrospective interviews conducted in early 2025, Sedloski described his time in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a pivotal period for his tactical evolution, noting the high intensity and physical nature of the league.[15] Despite his exit, he remained a respected figure among the club's supporters, and his name was frequently linked with a return to the Bosnian top flight during the 2025–26 coaching cycles.

Dinamo Zagreb II

In June 2020, Sedloski returned to GNK Dinamo Zagreb to take over as the head coach of the club's reserve team, GNK Dinamo Zagreb II, which was then competing in the Druga HNL.[16] He succeeded Igor Jovićević, who had been promoted to the senior team. Sedloski's appointment was intended to utilize his status as a club legend to mentor the academy's prospects and facilitate their transition to professional football.[17]

His tenure with the reserve side was brief, lasting only four months. On 6 October 2020, Sedloski resigned from his position following a string of inconsistent results and personal reasons, having led the team through the opening seven rounds of the 2020–21 season.[18] Despite the short duration of his stay, he was credited with integrating several youth players into the competitive environment of the Croatian second tier before being succeeded by Ivan Prelec.[19]

KF Shkupi

In April 2021, Sedloski was appointed manager of KF Shkupi. In the 2021–22 season, he led the Čair-based club to its first-ever Macedonian First League title, ending a 21-year drought for the club.[20] Under his leadership, Shkupi dominated the league, securing the championship with several rounds to spare.

During the summer of 2022, Sedloski oversaw the club's most extensive European campaign to date. Shkupi competed in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, where they eliminated Lincoln Red Imps before being narrowly defeated by Dinamo Zagreb in the second round. The club subsequently transitioned to the UEFA Europa League and later the UEFA Europa Conference League, eventually reaching the play-off round of the latter before being eliminated by KF Ballkani.[21]

Sedloski's tenure was marked by a brief period of instability in late 2022; he resigned on 31 August 2022 following the club's exit from European competition and a domestic draw against Pobeda.[22] However, he returned to the position just nine days later on 9 September 2022. He remained with the club until 21 March 2023, when he left by mutual agreement following a series of inconsistent results in the second half of the 2022–23 season.

Vllaznia and Rabotnički

On 3 April 2023, Sedloski was appointed as the head coach of Albanian club Vllaznia Shkodër, signing a contract intended to run through the end of the 2023–24 season.[23] During his brief tenure in Shkodër, he led the team to the semi-finals of the Albanian Cup, though he left the club by mutual consent in June 2023 following the conclusion of the season.[24]

Sedloski returned to the Macedonian First Football League on 14 November 2023, taking over at FK Rabotnički as a replacement for Milan Ilievski. His stint with the "Romanticists" lasted only four months; after managing 11 matches with a record of two wins, two draws, and seven defeats, he parted ways with the club on 2 April 2024.[25] Following a successful 2024–25 campaign with FK Vardar, where he won the Macedonian Football Cup, Sedloski was officially named the head coach of the North Macedonia national football team in December 2025.[26]

Return to FK Vardar and National Team (2024–present)

FK Vardar

In November 2024, Sedloski returned to FK Vardar as head coach during a period of significant financial restructuring and ownership transition. Tasked with stabilizing a squad facing relegation threats, he prioritized the integration of youth academy players into the first team to ensure the club's survival in the Macedonian First Football League.[27] Under Sedloski's management, Vardar underwent a competitive resurgence during the latter half of the 2024–25 season. This culminated in the club winning the Macedonian Football Cup on 21 May 2025, defeating FK Sileks 2–1 in the final held at the Toše Proeski Arena. The victory marked Vardar's first major trophy since their financial crisis and subsequent relegation years earlier, securing the club a spot in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Conference League for the 2025–26 season.[28]

Macedonia

Following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle, the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) announced in January 2026 that Sedloski had been appointed as the permanent head coach of the North Macedonia national football team. Under a unique dual-role agreement, the FFM permitted Sedloski to remain with FK Vardar until the end of the 2025–26 domestic season. This arrangement was designed to allow Sedloski to complete the club's rebuilding phase before focusing exclusively on the national team's preparations for the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League.[29][30]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Pobeda 1994–96 First League 1 0 1 0
Hajduk Split 1996–97 Prva HNL 29 1 29 1
1997–98 14 1 4[c] 1 18 2
Total 43 2 4 1 47 3
Sheffield Wednesday 1997–98 Premier League 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Dinamo Zagreb 1998–99 Prva HNL 3 0 3 0
1999–2000 10 1 1[d] 0 11 1
2000–01 28 4 28 4
2001–02 25 3 25 3
2002–03 30 3 30 3
2003–04 30 11 2 1 1[e] 1 33 13
Total 126 22 27 23 2 178 36
Vegalta Sendai 2004 J2 League 21 3 1 0 0 0 22 3
Dinamo Zagreb 2004–05 Prva HNL 13 1 13 1
Diyarbakırspor 2005–06 Süper Lig 27 3 3 1 30 4
SV Mattersburg 2006–07 Bundesliga 35 3 4 0 39 3
2007–08 35 4 4[f] 0 39 4
2008–09 34 1 3 0 37 1
2009–10 29 1 1 0 30 1
2010–11 1 0 1 0 2 0
Total 134 9 10 1 4 0 148 10
Career total 369 40 42 2 0 0 31 1 2 1 444 44

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[31]
National team Year Apps Goals
Macedonia 1996 7 0
1997 6 0
1998 5 0
1999 3 0
2000 7 0
2001 5 0
2002 7 1
2003 9 2
2004 9 1
2005 7 0
2006 8 1
2007 8 2
2008 7 0
2009 10 1
2010 2 0
Total 100 8
As of match played 29 May 2010. North Macedonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Sedloski goal.[32]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 20 November 2002 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia 40  Israel 2–3 2–3 Friendly
2 9 February 2003 Stadion Šubićevac, Šibenik, Croatia 41  Croatia 1–0 2–2 Friendly
3 7 June 2003 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia 45  Liechtenstein 1–1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
4 11 June 2004 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia 55  Estonia 1–0 4–2 Friendly
5 16 August 2006 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia 69  Estonia 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
6 24 March 2007 Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia 75  Croatia 1–0 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
7 17 October 2007 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia 79  Andorra 2–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
8 14 November 2009 Stadion Blagoj Istatov, Strumica, Croatia 97  Canada 1–0 3–0 Friendly


Managerial statistics

As of 26 February 2026[33]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Macedonia 15 August 2012 15 August 2012 1 1 0 0 100.00
Turnovo 17 September 2013 15 July 2014 33 18 6 9 054.55
Vardar 27 July 2015 15 August 2017 75 52 14 9 069.33
Riga 27 January 2018 24 May 2018 9 4 1 4 044.44
Široki Brijeg 31 August 2018 22 July 2019 39 18 12 9 046.15
Dinamo Zagreb II 13 April 2020 14 October 2020 17 9 2 6 052.94
Shkupi 16 April 2021 21 March 2023 72 39 19 14 054.17
Vllaznia 4 April 2023 30 June 2023 11 3 4 4 027.27
Rabotnički 14 November 2023 2 April 2024 11 2 2 7 018.18
Vardar 5 November 2024 Present 48 31 12 5 064.58
Macedonia 1 January 2026 Present 0 0 0 0 !
Total 274 150 63 61 054.74

Honours

Player

Dinamo Zagreb

Individual

Manager

Vardar

Shkupi

Široki Brijeg

Riga FC

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Goce Sedloski". Macedonian Football. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  2. ^ "FFM chose Goce Sedloski as new national team coach". Macedonian Football. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Sedloski remains on the Vardar bench". Sloboden Pechat. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Goce Sedloski, the new coach of the Macedonian national football team". Telegrafi. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday's £1.75m Goce Sedloski investment was among their worst". Football League World. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b "FFM chose Goce Sedloski as new national team coach". Macedonian Football. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Goce Sedloski, the new coach of the Macedonian national football team". Telegrafi. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Lithuania - Macedonia 1:0 match report". Macedonian Football. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Goce Sedloski resigns as Vardar manager". Republika English. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Par "Riga" FC galveno treneri kļūst ziemeļmaķedonietis Sedloskis". LSM.lv. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Sedloska taktika atgriež "Riga" FC Virslīgas virsotnē". Sportacentrs.com. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Гоце Седлоски останува во Латвија: Нов договор со Рига ФЦ по шампионската титула". Gol.mk. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Goce Sedloski novi trener Širokog Brijega". Klix.ba. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Goce Sedloski više nije trener NK Široki Brijeg". Sportsport.ba. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Седлоски се присетува на Широки Брег: Тоа беше голема шанса". Gol.mk. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  16. ^ "Goce Sedloski novi trener Dinama II". GNK Dinamo Zagreb. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  17. ^ "Goce Sedloski novi trener druge momčadi Dinama". Index.hr. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  18. ^ "Šok na Maksimiru: Goce Sedloski više nije trener Dinama II! Legendarni kapetan podnio ostavku". Sportske novosti. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  19. ^ "Goce Sedloski podnio ostavku na mjesto trenera druge momčadi Dinama". Net.hr. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  20. ^ "Skopje fires the coach". Telegrafi. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  21. ^ "Official: Gotse Sedloski returns to the bench of Shkupi". Sloboden Pechat. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  22. ^ "He led them to the championship title, the famous technician resigns". Balkanweb.com. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  23. ^ "Zyrtarizimi në orën e vonë, Vllaznia firmos me trajnerin e ri". Balkanweb.com. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  24. ^ "FFM chose Goce Sedloski as new national team coach". Macedonian Football. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  25. ^ "Rabotnicki parted ways with Sedloski and chose a new coach". Sloboden Pechat. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  26. ^ "Goce Sedloski officially promoted as new head coach of the Macedonian A national team". FFM.mk. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  27. ^ "Official: Goce Sedloski is the new coach of Vardar". Ekipa.mk. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  28. ^ "Vardar wins the Macedonian Cup after a dramatic final". MacedonianFootball.com. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  29. ^ "FFM confirms Sedloski as new head coach of the "Lynx"". FFM.mk. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  30. ^ "Sedloski to maintain dual role with Vardar and National Team until June". Sloboden Pečat. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  31. ^ Goce Sedloski international appearances at rsssf.org
  32. ^ Goce Sedloski at Soccerway
  33. ^ "Goce Sedloski". Sofascore (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  34. ^ "FFM chose Goce Sedloski as new national team coach". Macedonian Football. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  35. ^ "Shkupi is the new Macedonian champion". Macedonian Football. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  36. ^ "Goce Sedloski, the new coach of the Macedonian national football team". Telegrafi. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.