Sergej Barbarez
Barbarez in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth (1971-09-17) 17 September 1971 (age 54)
Place of birth Mostar, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
Bosnia and Herzegovina (manager)
Youth career
1984–1989 Velež Mostar
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1991 Velež Mostar
1992–1993 Hannover 96 18 (2)
1993–1996 Union Berlin 88 (46)
1996–1998 Hansa Rostock 59 (13)
1998–2000 Borussia Dortmund 36 (6)
2000–2006 Hamburger SV 174 (65)
2006–2008 Bayer Leverkusen 61 (11)
Total 436 (143)
International career
1998–2006 Bosnia and Herzegovina 47 (17)
Managerial career
2024– Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sergej Barbarez (Serbian Cyrillic: Сергеј Барбарез; born 17 September 1971) is a Bosnian professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

Mainly used as a second striker, Barbarez also played as an attacking midfielder or left winger. He started his career at hometown club Velež Mostar, before going to Germany and joining Hannover 96 in 1992. He went to Union Berlin a year later, and then played in the Bundesliga for Hansa Rostock and Borussia Dortmund. Barbarez joined Hamburger SV in 2000, and has since been considered one of the all-time greatest players of the club where he scored 65 goals in 174 Bundesliga games. In the 2000–01 Bundesliga season, he was joint top scorer with 22 goals alongside Ebbe Sand of Schalke 04 at the end of the season. Barbarez left Hamburg in 2006, and signed with Bayer Leverkusen, where he retired from professional football in 2008.

Barbarez made his senior international debut for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in 1998, earning 47 caps and scoring 17 goals until 2006. He was the captain of the national team between 2004 and 2006.

In April 2024, Barbarez was appointed as Bosnia and Herzegovina's head coach. He guided the nation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their first appearance at the finals since 2014.

Early life

Barbarez was born in Mostar, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Serb father and a half-Croat and half-Bosniak mother.[1]

Club career

In 1984, Barbarez took a step further and started playing football for the youth team of Velež in his native city of Mostar.

Some six years later, he signed with the first team of Velež at the age of 19. However, briefly after, Barbarez served in the Yugoslav People's Army in Zagreb in 1991 before returning to Mostar to continue his career.[2] In 1991, he returned to Velež and soon after everyone realized that Barbarez was a true talent.

The same year, he visited his uncle who was living in Germany. Some time later, Barbarez was preparing to return to Mostar but his uncle surprised him by extending his stay in Germany for two weeks. The uncle had arranged for him a two weeks try-out practise with Hannover 96. The coach of Hannover 96 was so impressed by Barbarez that he signed him for the club. During those same two weeks the political situation throughout former Yugoslavia was deteriorating by the minute and fighting was even occurring in some places. So Barbarez came to an agreement with his father to stay with his uncle in Germany for the near future.

In April 1992, the Bosnian War escalated in the city of Mostar. A month prior of the actual war, the father and sister of Barbarez fled with his high school sweetheart Ana to the city of Hanover in Germany. His mother Zlata stayed in Mostar throughout the whole war.

Barbarez played for Hannover 96 during the second half of the 1991–92 and the whole 1992–93 season. Between 1993 and 1996, he played for Union Berlin at the third level[3] before signing with Hansa Rostock. Barbarez played there between 1996 and 1998.

In 1998, he signed with Borussia Dortmund and played there until joining Hamburger SV in July 2000.

During the first season with Hamburger SV, Barbarez became the top scorer for his club with 22 goals and joint top scorer of the Bundesliga with Ebbe Sand. Though, he could not help Hamburg's elimination from the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League at the group stages despite his two goals, when the club qualified for that competition for the first time, after a third place in the previous domestic Bundesliga season.

On 17 May 2006, Barbarez signed a two-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen. He finished his career at Bayer after his contract with the club expired in June 2008.

International career

Barbarez playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Iran in 2006

On 14 May 1998, Barbarez made his debut for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team against Argentina in a friendly match.

Barbarez scored two goals against Liechtenstein in a World Cup qualification match on 28 March 2001.[4] He was denied a hat-trick as his second-half penalty was saved by Lichtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle.[4]

Before retiring from international football in October 2005, Barbarez was the captain of the Bosnian national team.

On 2 December 2005, he announced his comeback to the national team and played in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers. He became captain of the team once again.

On 12 October 2006, Barbarez officially stepped down from playing for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team and retired permanently from professional football in June 2008. His final international was an October 2006 European Championship qualification match against Moldova.[5]

Managerial career

Barbarez announced on 14 December 2009 that he wanted to be the head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.[6] However, the Football Association of Republika Srpska blocked his entry[7] and later on, Safet Sušić was selected as the new head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

On 5 January 2011, Barbarez received his UEFA Pro Licence in the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina's educational facility in Jablanica.[8]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 19 April 2024, Barbarez was appointed as the new head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, signing a four-year contract with the Bosnian FA.[9] His first game in charge was a friendly 3–0 away defeat to England on 3 June 2024.[10] He was victorious in the team's opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Romania on 21 March 2025.[11] Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded three more wins against Cyprus, and back-to-back victories over San Marino, marking this their most successful FIFA World Cup or UEFA Euro qualification opening.[12] Barbarez's side suffered its first defeat in the qualifying campaign on 9 September 2025, losing to Austria 2–1 at home.[13]

Following a 3–1 win over Romania at home on 15 November,[14] Bosnia and Herzegovina needed to defeat Austria three days later in the final group match to qualify directly for the World Cup. Despite holding on to a 1–0 lead until the 77th minute, the match ended in a draw. As a result, Barbarez's team finished second in the group, two points behind Austria, and qualified for the play-offs.[15] On 26 March 2026, following a late Edin Džeko equaliser against Wales in the play-off semi-finals, Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to win on penalties and advance to the final against Italy.[16] On 31 March, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Italy on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the play-off final, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and marking their second appearance as an independent nation.[17]

Personal life

Barbarez in 2014

Barbarez is married to his high-school sweetheart Ana, who is also from Mostar. They have two sons together, Filip-André (born 1994) and Sergio-Luis (1999).[18] Barbarez was a member of the board of directors of Hamburger SV between 25 January 2009 and 28 May 2010.[19]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hannover 96 1992–93 2. Bundesliga 18 2 1 0 0 0 19 2
Union Berlin 1993–94 NOFV-Oberliga 29 15 0 0 0 0 29 15
1994–95 Regionalliga 29 14 1 0 0 0 30 14
1995–96 30 17 0 0 0 0 30 17
Total 88 46 1 0 0 0 89 46
Hansa Rostock 1996–97 Bundesliga 27 2 2 1 0 0 29 3
1997–98 32 11 1 0 0 0 33 11
Total 59 13 3 1 0 0 62 14
Borussia Dortmund 1998–99 Bundesliga 22 4 2 0 0 0 24 4
1999–2000 14 2 1 0 5 1 20 3
Total 36 6 3 0 5 1 44 7
Hamburger SV 2000–01 Bundesliga 31 22 1 0 8 1 40 23
2001–02 24 7 1 0 0 0 25 7
2002–03 24 6 1 0 0 0 25 6
2003–04 32 10 3 0 2 0 37 10
2004–05 30 11 1 0 0 0 31 11
2005–06 33 9 3 3 9 2 45 14
Total 174 65 10 3 19 3 203 71
Bayer Leverkusen 2006–07 Bundesliga 32 7 2 0 12 3 46 10
2007–08 29 4 0 0 10 3 39 7
Total 61 11 2 0 22 6 75 17
Career total 436 143 20 4 46 10 483 157

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[20]
National team Year Apps Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1998 5 1
1999 3 0
2000 4 0
2001 5 4
2002 2 2
2003 7 4
2004 5 0
2005 9 3
2006 7 3
Total 47 17
Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Barbarez goal.
List of international goals scored by Sergej Barbarez
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 September 1999 Asim Ferhatović Hase, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Estonia 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
2 28 February 2001 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Hungary 1–1 1–1 Friendly
3 24 March 2001 Asim Ferhatović Hase, Sarajevo  Austria 1–1 1–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 28 March 2001 Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein  Liechtenstein 1–0 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 2–0
6 27 March 2002 Grbavica Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Macedonia 2–0 4–4 Friendly
7 3–0
8 13 February 2003 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Wales 2–1 2–2 Friendly
9 29 March 2003 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Luxembourg 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
10 2 April 2003 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark  Denmark 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
11 10 September 2003 Stade Josy Barthel, Route d'Arlon, Luxembourg  Luxembourg 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
12 4 June 2005 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino  San Marino 3–1 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 3 September 2005 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Belgium 1–0 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 7 September 2005 LFF Stadium, Vilnius, Lithuania  Lithuania 1–0 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 31 May 2006 Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran  Iran 2–0 2–5 Friendly
16 16 August 2006 Asim Ferhatović Hase, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  France 1–0 1–2 Friendly
17 2 September 2006 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta  Malta 1–0 5–2 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Managerial statistics

As of match played 31 March 2026[21]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Bosnia and Herzegovina 19 April 2024 Present 20 8 4 8 28 33 −5 040.00
Total 20 8 4 8 28 33 −5 040.00

Honours

Player

Hamburger SV

  • DFB-Ligapokal: 2003
  • UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005

Individual

  • Bosnian Footballer of the Year: 2001, 2002, 2003
  • Bundesliga top goalscorer: 2000–01 (shared)

References

  1. ^ "Impulsiver Gefühlsmensch" (in German). welt.de. 21 September 2001. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  2. ^ "Barbarez: "Iz Fudbalskog saveza BiH mi nisu dali karte za Belgiju"". 24sata.info. 14 March 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  3. ^ Matthias Arnhold (21 April 2011). "Sergej Barbarez – Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  4. ^ a b Connelly 2002, 142
  5. ^ "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Barbarez Wants To Be National Team Coach". bihfoot.com. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Barbarez bez podrške FS RS". nezavisne.com. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Profesionalne licence Barbarezu, Piplici i kolegama" (in Bosnian). sarajevo-x.com. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  9. ^ N. M. (19 April 2024). "Barbarez: Bilo bi nekorektno komentarisati prošlost, držimo se vizije koju imamo". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  10. ^ Almedin Halilović (4 June 2024). "Barbarez nakon poraza u debiju na klupi reprezentacije BiH: Rezultat je previsok ali ponosan sam na ono što sam vidio". scsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  11. ^ Esmer Oštraković (21 March 2025). "Barbarez će po dobrom pamtiti Bukurešt: Početak iz snova za Zmajeve!". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Samo smo jednom imali maksimalnih šest bodova nakon prva dva kola kvalifikacija". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 22 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  13. ^ N. M. (9 September 2025). "Zmajevi poraženi od Austrije u Zenici u najbitnijoj utakmici kvalifikacija za SP". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Zmajevi slavili nakon preokreta u Zenici i osigurali minimalno baraž: Za direktan plasman na SP potrebna pobjeda u Beču". avaz.ba (in Bosnian). 15 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  15. ^ Esmir Kunić (18 November 2025). "Tok susreta Austrija 1-1 BiH: Zmajevi ostali bez plasmana na Svjetsko prvenstvo" (in Bosnian). N1. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  16. ^ Dl.M. (27 March 2026). ""Poljem se širi miris ljiljana...": Ovako su Džeko i drugovi proslavili veliku pobjedu u Kardifu". vijesti.me (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy highlights (4-3 on pens): Hosts win 2026 World Cup play-off final shoot-out". UEFA. 31 March 2026.
  18. ^ S.P. (18 September 2022). "Sergej Barbarez ponosno pokazao sinove, s njima proslavio 51. rođendan". azra.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Sergej Barbarez član uprave HSV-a". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). 26 January 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Sergej Barbarez". Eu-football.info. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Sergej Barbarez". Sofascore. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  • Connelly, Charlie (2002) Stamping Grounds: Exploring Liechtenstein and Its World Cup Dreams. Abacus.
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