It is with great sadness that Football Australia hears of the passing of Rale Rasic, a prominent and much-loved figure within Australian football and a respected member of the Football Australia Hall of Fame.
Rasic’s journey from Yugoslavian orphan and migrant to one of the youngest ever FIFA World Cup coaches is one of the great stories in Australian sporting history. He made an indelible mark on Australian football as both a player and coach, where his contributions to the sport will be remembered and cherished by the football community at large.
Rasic’s football journey began at a young age when he was selected to represent the Yugoslavia Youth team at the age of 17. He later pursued a Physical Education degree at Belgrade University, equipping him with the knowledge and skills that would shape his future career.
In 1962, Rasic arrived in Australia and joined Melbourne JUST, where he played a pivotal role in securing the State League championship and Dockerty Cup. His exceptional talent led to his representation of Victoria on nine occasions before retiring as a player in 1966.
Rasic’s coaching career flourished, highlighted by a Victorian State League championship and a national Under-16 title. In August 1970, at just 34-years of age he was appointed as the national coach of the Socceroos, embarking on a remarkable journey that brought unprecedented success to Australian football. Under his guidance, the Socceroos achieved a 12-match unbeaten streak during their 1972 world tour, remained undefeated during their tour of Asia, and even secured a memorable 2-2 draw against Pele’s Santos.
Rasic’s leadership and strategic acumen guided the Socceroos through the 1974 rounds, ultimately culminating in Australia’s first-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany. His achievements were duly recognised, as he was named the inaugural National Soccer League Coach of the Year with Marconi Fairfield in 1977 and received the same honour again in 1987 with Apia Leichhardt. Furthermore, Rasic won the national league championship and the NSL Cup, cementing his legacy as one of Australian football’s most influential figures.
Throughout his career, Rasic’s dedication and passion for football garnered him numerous accolades. In 2001, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal and the Centenary Medal for his exceptional “services to soccer.” In 2004, Rasic was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding contributions to soccer as a player, coach, and administrator.
Until the time of his passing, Rasic remained an immensely popular figure amongst the football community, keeping in touch with former players and always enthusiastically sharing remarkable stories from throughout his half-a-century of involvement in the game.
Football Australia Chairman, Chris Nikou, expressed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of Football Australia and the entire Australian football community. Nikou acknowledged Rasic’s immeasurable impact on the sport, both on and off the field, and recognised his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of Australian football.
“Today, we mourn the passing of a giant of Australian football in Rale Rasic,” said Nikou. “His dedication to representing Australia and his remarkable achievements as a player, coach, and administrator will forever be etched in our nation’s football history. Rale’s influence extended beyond the game, shaping the careers of numerous players, and leaving an indelible mark on the sport he loved.”
Current Socceroos’ head coach Graham Arnold said the news of Rasic’s passing is “devastating”.
“Rale changed the game in Australia in 1974, qualifying Australia for the first World Cup ever,” Arnold expressed.
“The amount of passion and love that Rale had for football has never drifted too far away from myself and he has been a great inspiration for me over the years.
He was such a great man, he loved a chat, and loved a story, and he always kept those stories going and that motivated a lot of people in life.
“I never had the privilege of playing underneath him, but I have no doubt there are a lot of guys that played under him that would be devastated today to hear this news,” concluded Arnold.
Football Australia extends its deepest sympathies to the Rasic family, friends, and former teammates during this difficult time, emphasising that Rale Rasic’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of footballers to come.
In memory of Rale Rasic, the Socceroos will wear black armbands during their upcoming match against Argentina in Beijing, China.
Vale.
