Football Australia is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rado Vidošić, a highly respected coach who enjoyed an illustrious 18-year career in Australia’s top-flight competitions, winning multiple titles and leaving a lasting impact on the game.
Vidošić started his managerial career in the inaugural season of the A-League, serving as the assistant coach for Brisbane Roar. Rado took over as the club's caretaker manager in 2009. He was then named the new manager of Brisbane after Ange Postecoglou's departure in 2012.
In his first stint at Roar, he helped the team win the 2011 and 2012 Championships, as well as assisting them to win the 2010/11 Premiership.
Rado then headed to Sydney FC, where he served as the assistant coach once again under Frank Farina in 2013. Before heading back to Brisbane in December 2014 to become the assistant manager for the Roar, helping them to the 2013/14 Premiership.
In 2015, Rado joined Melbourne Victory as their assistant coach, spending one season at the club and helping Victory to win the 2015 Australia Cup title.
Following this, Rado would join Wellington Phoenix in June 2017 as their assistant coach, coaching his son Dario once again.
Vidošić's most successful period would come when he joined Melbourne City to coach their women's side in 2018. He helped the team to the 2019/20 Premiership and the 2020 Championship, his first titles as head coach.
In November 2022, following Partrick Kisnorbo's departure, Rado was appointed caretaker manager, and then appointed head coach of the men's team at Melbourne City in February 2023, seeing his son Dario take over his position as head coach of the women's team.
Rado was then a part of Leah Blayney's coaching staff as the CommBank Young Matildas headed to the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™. He also spent time in the Australian Women's U23 camp, bringing his wealth of experience to the women's international youth teams.
More recently, Rado was appointed as Head of Women's and Girls' Coaching at Brighton and Hove Albion, where his son Dario was the head coach of the women's team.
Football Australia extends its deepest condolences to Rado's family, friends, and the football community. The impact Rado has had on football in Australia cannot be overstated. His football knowledge, kindness and warmth will continue to live on through the journeys of all those who had the privilege of learning from him.
