Željko Babić (handballer)


Željko Babić is a Croatian professional handball coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for RK Eurofarm Pelister.

Playing career

Babić has played for the following clubs: :hr:RK Opuzen|RK PIK Neretva Opuzen, Badel 1862 Zagreb, Razvitak Metković, :it:Gammaude Secchia|Gammaude and :it:ALPI Pallamano Prato|Pallamano Secchia, and :hr:RK Jelsa|RK Jelsa. He retired from playing professional handball in 2006.

Coaching career

Babić has worked as an assistant coach under the coaching staff of Slavko Goluža in the Croatia national team, winning the bronze medal at the 2012 European Championship, bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, bronze medal at the 2013 World Championship and the silver medal at the 2013 Mediterranean Games.
On 27 February 2015, he was appointed the head coach for the Croatia national team, leading the team at the 2016 European Championship, the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2017 World Championship. On 30 January 2017, it was reported that Babić has been sacked as the head coach of the national team due to a poor run of results and due to finishing fourth in the World Championship held in January at France.
Following the 2017–18 season, Babić was named the head coach of the Slovenian club RK Gorenje Velenje. He parted ways with the club in May 2018.
On 9 January 2020, he was appointed the head coach of RK Eurofarm Rabotnik.

Personal life

Babić was born in Metković, in family of father Ante and mother Nedjeljka Babić. He has brother Ivica, who is a priest and also has a sister. He married his wife Katarina Vukoja. The couple has three children: Greta and Ivan, who are twins, and one more daughter Anđa.

Honours

Player

;Zagreb
;Metković
;Pallamano Prato
;Meshkov
;Croatia