The 46-year-old has the reins to the U23 program in their biggest test in nearly two decades
As unbelievable as it might sound, the USMNT are finally about to return to the Olympic Games, qualifying for the the first time since … 2008. In those Beijing Games, they were led by Bob Bradley's first-team assistant, Piotr Nowak, under whom they qualified for the competition.
Now, 16 years on, they're back in the prestigious worldwide sporting event, about to participate in the Paris Summer Games. The man in command? Serbian manager Marko Mitrovic.
Never heard of him?
A journeyman of a footballer, he played professionally for 15 years with 14 different clubs. In an 11-year managerial run since, he's been a part of nine-different programs, including stints with the U19 U.S. Youth national team and now, the U.S. U23 squad.
GOAL takes a look at the man set to lead the USMNT in Paris.
Denny MedleyPlaying career
Across a distringuished career, Mitrovic played in four different countries, but primarily in his native Serbia. He featured for eight-different clubs, primarily operating as a defensive midfielder. Outside of Serbia, he had stints in Hungary, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Most notably, he featured for Red Star Belgrade at a young age. Coming through the academy, he signed his first professional contract with the Serbian heavyweights, who often find themselves competing against Europe's elite in continental club competition.
From 1995-2010, he plied his trade at the club level, before retiring from the professional game. Nearly immediately, he turned to the touchline, as he had no intention to leave the game.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesPivoting to managerial duties
In the 2011-12 season, one short campaign after his retirement, Mitrovic was appointed as an assistant coach for Banat Zrenjanin. He featured as a player for the Serbian side in 2006, and he made his return six years on. At the end of 2012, Mitrovic joined the Serbian Soccer Federation as an assistant coach. From 2012 to 2015, he worked with their U18, U19 and U20 programs, where he found immense success.
During his tenure, Serbia won the 2015 U20 FIFA World Cup, defeating an impressive Brazil side in the final. Working with head coach Veljko Paunovic, Mitrovic and Co. claimed glory in the event.
Shortly thereafter, Paunovic was recruited by the Chicago Fire in MLS, and the manager brought Mitrovic with him to the United States, where they worked together from 2016-2019.
With his introduction to the American game, Mitrovic joined the U.S. program three years after his time with the Fire ended, and he's now been entrusted with leading the U.S. men's U23 squad in Paris this summer.
Getty ImagesJoining the USSF
Hired by U.S. Soccer in 2022, Mitrovic worked across the different youth levels, eventually earning his way to his role with the U23 squad.
“It’s been an honor working for U.S. Soccer and I’m tremendously proud of the opportunity to lead the USA at the Olympics,” said Mitrovic after the promotion to lead the team in Paris. “I’ve gotten to see first-hand the high-potential players rising through our development system and I’m excited for them to represent their country proudly on such an important stage. The Olympics will be a special platform for our players and I can’t wait to continue the preparations.”
Initially hired as the head coach of the U19 squad in 2022, Mitrovic was described as "instrumental in guiding our rising talents" during his time with the program by U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker.
“We’re looking forward to him now leading our Under-23 Men’s Youth National Team as this age group provides these players with an incredible opportunity to continue their development by facing elite opposition on the world stage and competing for an Olympic world title,” Crocker said.
During his time with the U23s, he's found relative success, including an impressive March camp this year.
Getty ImagesResults with the U23s
The U.S. defeated Guinea 3-0 and drew France 2-2, both of which they would eventually pair with in Group A of the Olympic Games this summer. In total, Mitrovic has a record of 3-2-3 (WLD) with the program, with the three victories coming against Colombia, Chile and Guinea.
Facing his first real test in a major tournament as a head coach, Mitrovic will now look to improve that record and take this squad to the knockout stages of the Olympics, a level that USMNT squads have struggled to reach.
