Former top scorer of the 1. SNL, Mate Eterović, is coaching Ronald’s son in Saudi Arabia, but he hasn’t forgotten Slovenia: ‘It gave me everything! Sooner or later, I will return…’
Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida
In the history of Slovenian football, numerous foreign footballers have graced the pitches of our top league. Some were immediately forgotten… Unfortunately, there were many for whom it would have been better if they had never come. However, there were also boys from elsewhere whom we will remember for all time. Mate Eterović is one of those who, without a shred of doubt, left a very positive mark in Slovenia. The Dalmatian from the island of Brač was a fan favorite wherever he played. They loved him because he was passionate and sincere, yet humble. Never arrogant, never a star.
Mate Eterović played more than 200 matches on Slovenian grounds, an exceptional statistic for a foreign player. In the Prva liga Telemach, he appeared 197 times as a member of Maribor, Nafta, Mura, Velenje’s Rudar, and Domžale, scoring 65 goals. His star moment undoubtedly came in the 2013/14 season when he was the top scorer in the Slovenian league.
Today, Mate Eterović works as a coach in Saudi Arabia, where – believe it or not – he coaches the son of the legendary Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo! But more than discussing the latter, we spoke with the ever-articulate Croatian about the country that left the deepest impression on him. About Slovenia.
It’s almost been 20 years since your arrival in Slovenia. When you left your native Dalmatia, could you have imagined that Slovenia would give you all that it did?
Ah, not at all… At that time, I only had one thought in my mind: how to do everything in my power to stay in Maribor for as long as possible. Well, in the end, I stayed in Slovenia for 8 years. During this time, many, many beautiful stories accumulated. I am truly proud of everything I managed to achieve in Slovenia as a footballer.
You mentioned Maribor, which brought you to Slovenia. How difficult was it to adapt to a new environment back then? You came from the island of Brač, and as a very young man, you found yourself far from home. It must not have been easy, right?
First and foremost, everything was unusual. I arrived at a big club, and at the same time, the expectations I faced were really high. Simply on the level of such a good club. Today, I would say that I probably came to Maribor too young. Perhaps it would have been better if I had taken an intermediate step before that. But that’s how it is in football… I’m sure I had enough quality for Maribor, but I didn’t have the experience that is more than important in such an environment. That was my first venture abroad. It was tough. There were also many downsides. But despite everything, I view Maribor as something positive in my career.
You later played in Slovenia for Aluminij, but you experienced a real breakthrough with Nafta. You opened the doors abroad in Lendava, signed for Debrecen, but fairly quickly returned to Slovenia. Would you say that Slovenia was somehow destined for you?
Slovenia was always primarily my second home. It gave me a lot, and whenever someone asks me about Slovenia, I respond in superlatives. Both about living in Slovenia and football. The number of friends I made in Slovenia… Jernej Javornik, for example, was my coach and is now primarily a friend. Every time I return and watch a game, I reminisce with friends about old, beautiful times. And personally, that’s the most beautiful thing for me. That even after my career ended, I remained friends with numerous people. That I have friends who understand me, and I understand them.
After bidding farewell to Hungary, you also played in Greece, then surprised everyone in 2010 by signing for the relatively unknown club Postira Sardi. There, you had more goals scored than matches played, and among other things, you played against the Croatian national team, which was preparing for a major competition on Brač. But let’s be honest: did you think that when you put on the Postira Sardi jersey, your serious career was over?
At that time, a lot was happening in my life… I simply couldn’t find a club that convinced me. I didn’t receive an offer that satisfied me. Also, my wife was pregnant, so I decided to stay at home. I stood by her side, just as she always stood by me. And I know it wasn’t easy for her because of my football career… As for playing for Postira Sardi, the fact is this. If you’re a true professional, which I undoubtedly was then, things start to “get mixed up” when you don’t get the right offer. You start to ask why. You start to doubt yourself. It wasn’t any different for me, but then I decided to do everything I could. I started working hard, training like crazy. A child was coming; it was no joke! And I had a great season on Brač. I played, scored goals, and received a call… from Hajduk!
Hajduk? But you signed for Mura…
That’s right. I received a call, but it didn’t work out. Hajduk wasn’t meant for me… Shortly after, they also called me from Murska Sobota. I immediately told them I’d come. And I didn’t make a mistake. Although it’s true that Mura was something different then than it is now. At least in terms of organization, not to mention money. If the salaries weren’t late, they simply didn’t exist! But something else happened then, something interesting. We were a group of guys who wanted to make something more of ourselves. And it’s no coincidence that many from that team then took two or three steps forward in their careers. We were hungry for success, driven by sports motivation. Just thinking back to that European adventure and the fact that we eliminated three opponents and ended up playing against AS Roma! We can really be proud of what we did. Especially considering the circumstances in which we operated, played, lived…
Did the Mura fans never hold it against you for previously playing for Nafta? Or vice versa?
Even if someone did, I didn’t feel it for a moment. I spent two great years in Lendava, established myself in Slovenian football, and Nafta also holds a special place in my heart. Mura came later. Mura came when I had experienced some things in my career. At that time, I was more adept at dealing with the challenges football brings. No, I really never had any problems.
But Mura fans are known as some of the most passionate in Slovenia. What memories did you keep of them?
Very fond memories. But I’d like to emphasize that I had really good relationships with fans everywhere I played. Maybe they loved me more because I played as a forward and occasionally scored a goal (laughs)! Well, clearly when you score goals, fans love you. At the same time, I truly respected all fans and on the field, I tried to repay their trust and thank them for their support. If the fans loved me, it means I did something good.
Your biggest individual success in Slovenian football came in the 2013/14 season, almost exactly a decade ago, when you scored 19 goals for Velenje’s Rudar and were the top scorer in the Prva liga Telemach. Was that the peak of your career?
Being the top scorer in the Slovenian league means a lot to me. It’s an individual recognition that will always be a part of me, that will always stay with me. I left a mark, wrote myself into the history books. I believe most people in Slovenia remember me for that. Well, that season in Velenje was truly exceptional. But without the team, without the teammates I had, I would never have succeeded.
Do you regret leaving for Iran after scoring 19 goals and becoming the top scorer in the Prva liga Telemach? At that time, there were rumors that Ljubljana’s Olimpija was interested in you…
I don’t regret it because I believe everything happens for a reason in life. I’m more regretful about the story with Domžale… I wasn’t patient, and I wasn’t right. I see that period as my only significant failure in Slovenia. I could have contributed a lot to the club, but it turned out as it did. As for Iran, here’s the story: when I was the top scorer in the Slovenian league, I had 1000 offers. But… Yes, but. Someone didn’t want to pay a transfer fee, someone only wanted me for a short time. And it happened as it did. I’m not ashamed to admit that I went for the money then, although later I found out that there were better offers… No, I don’t regret it. Iran helped me broaden my horizons and discover new environments. I don’t regret anything today.
How did it happen that a guy from Brač found a football job in Saudi Arabia after the end of your playing career?
After my professional career, I went to a football academy and first passed all the exams for the UEFA A license. Of course, my goal is the UEFA PRO license. After all, I always knew I would stay in football. As for my coaching path, I practically embarked on it overnight. I put on my boots and became a coach. I first went to Ittihad Kalba (where Andres Vombergar earns his bread, editor’s note), then came the offer from Al Nassr, a giant in Arabian football. I’ve been in this club’s academy for two years now, and I have no reason to complain. We’re doing great, achieving superb results. I can also brag that I coach Cristiano Ronaldo’s son (laughs). I never could have imagined that I would one day coach the son of one of the greatest footballers of all time!
Do you like life in Saudi Arabia? Riyadh is quite different from Dalmatia, after all…
Life in Riyadh is great! The Saudis are very kind; they welcomed me excellently, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I worked in this country for many more years. The coaching path is, of course, uncertain, but the fact is I’m full of desire and enthusiasm. I want to learn everything I can; I spend a lot of time acquiring new knowledge, every year I spend some time learning from other coaches, other clubs. For now, I’m satisfied with what I’m doing; I’m enjoying Saudi Arabia. But I’d like to test myself in professional football sooner or later. Sooner or later, that will also come… For now, I don’t want to skip steps. I’m taking it step by step toward the right story.
Will we ever see you again in Slovenian football?
It’s pointless to talk about whether I’ll return to Slovenia or not… Slovenia gave me everything, and even today, I regularly follow the football scene in the land on the sunny side of the Alps. I’m convinced that the time will come when I’ll return. In a different role, but still. But when I do return, I’ll come back with the greatest joy!
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet