Robert Koren

Robert Koren (born 20 September 1980) is a Slovenian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Koren earned 61 caps and scored five goals for the Slovenia national football team between 2003 and 2011 and played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Since October 2020, he is the manager of Slovenian Second League side NK Fužinar.[2]

Robert Koren
Koren training with Slovenia in 2009
Personal information
Full name Robert Koren[1]
Date of birth (1980-09-20) 20 September 1980
Place of birth Radlje ob Dravi, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Fužinar (Head coach)
Youth career
Radlje
Dravograd
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2001 Dravograd 129 (17)
2001–2004 Celje 79 (22)
2004–2007 Lillestrøm 75 (19)
2007–2010 West Bromwich Albion 126 (16)
2010–2014 Hull City 143 (28)
2014–2016 Melbourne City 24 (3)
2017 Dravograd 7 (0)
Total 583 (105)
National team
1998 Slovenia U18 9 (1)
2000 Slovenia U20 3 (0)
2000–2001 Slovenia U21 14 (2)
2003 Slovenia B 1 (0)
2003–2011 Slovenia 61 (5)
Teams managed
2020– Fužinar
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Early career

Koren played for Dravograd and Celje in his home country, before transferring to Norwegian side Lillestrøm in 2004.

Lillestrøm

He became one of the most highly rated players of the Norwegian Premier League, many regarding him as the best foreigner in the entire competition. Koren was the definitive playmaker for Lillestrøm, and has often been compared to his former idol Zlatko Zahovič. During his time in Norway he was linked with a move to English club Leeds United.

West Bromwich Albion

On 4 January 2007, Koren signed for English Championship club West Bromwich Albion in a Bosman ruling, penning an 18-month contract with a further year's option in the club's favour.[3] He made his debut two days later as a late substitute in the Baggies' 3–1 win over Leeds United in the FA Cup third round. Koren scored his first goal for the club in a 7–0 home win against Barnsley on 6 May 2007, the last day of the league season. The victory ensured Albion's place in the Championship promotion play-offs. Koren started all three play-off games as Albion beat Wolves in the two-legged semi-final but lost 1–0 to Derby County in the Wembley final.

In July 2007 Koren suffered a freak accident in training when a ball hit him in the eye, causing internal bleeding and temporary loss of vision. Although he made a full recovery, he later admitted that he had feared for his sight.[4][5] The injury meant that he missed the start of the 2007–08 season, but he returned to the side at the end of August as a substitute in a League Cup game against Peterborough. In mid-September he signed a new two-year contract at Albion, with a further year's option in the club's favour.[6] He has been described by former West Brom manager Tony Mowbray as a "model pro".[7] Koren's two goals in Albion's 3–2 defeat away at Southampton in October 2007 earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.[8] Koren scored his first Premier League goal on 17 January 2009 and was named man of the match as Albion beat Middlesbrough 3–0. His goal in Albion's 2–2 draw with Burnley in the FA Cup earned him the ITV goal of the round.[9] In the 2008–09 Premier League season, Koren proved his reliability and consistency by making the most appearances of the season for an outfield player at West Brom, only appearing fewer times than goalkeeper Scott Carson.[10] On 17 May 2010, Koren was released by West Bromwich Albion after the club chose not to take up their option to extend his contract.[11]

Hull City
Koren playing for Hull City in 2012

On 13 August 2010, he joined Hull City on a free transfer.[12] He signed a two-year contract, with an option of a third year, just after the start of the season following their relegation from the Premier League with one game of the Football League Championship already played.[13] He made his debut for the club when he came on as a replacement for Will Atkinson at Millwall on 14 August 2010.[14] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 home victory over Derby County on 14 September 2010.[15] He also scored goals away at Norwich City and Leicester City and scored a 25-yard strike at home to Ipswich Town, and also scored what proved to be the winning goal in a 2–1 away victory over Watford. On 17 September 2011 against Portsmouth at the KC Stadium, Koren picked up possession, picked his spot and fired home into the bottom corner from 25 yards.[16]

On 24 September 2011, against Bristol City at Ashton Gate Stadium, Koren played a neat ball into Aaron McLean's feet and when the pass was returned, Koren stroked a lovely low shot into the bottom corner of the net.[17] On 22 October 2011 against Watford at the KC Stadium, Koren picked up possession midway inside the City half, drifted past three Watford players before driving home into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards.[18] On 29 November 2011, against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, a flowing move down the left ended with Tom Cairney pulling the ball back to Koren, whose shot deflected off Matty Fryatt and brought a stunning save out of Kelvin Davis. But the rebound fell for Koren, who nodded home from close range.[19] On 3 December 2011, against Leicester City at the KC Stadium, the ball was rolled nicely into the path of Koren and he struck a beautiful shot past Schmeichel from 20 yards.[20] On 7 December 2011, against Birmingham City at the KC Stadium, Cameron Stewart got to the byeline down the right before firing in a vicious cross that was only cleared as far as the penalty spot where Koren readjusted his body to volley into the net.[21] On 17 December 2011, against Millwall at the KC Stadium, a long ball forward was headed down by a Millwall defender and it dropped nicely for Koren, who adjusted his feet well before firing home a low shot from 20 yards out.[22]

On 11 August 2012, he signed a new two-year contract.[23] On 15 September 2012, against Millwall at the KC Stadium, Koren picked up possession on the edge of the centre circle, advanced unchallenged before unleashing a powerful drive from 25 yards which flew past Taylor and into the net.[24] After Hull's promotion to Premier League he was ruled out for four to five weeks for foot injury before the clash against Newcastle United.[25]

Melbourne City

On 3 August 2014, Robert Koren was announced as a marquee signing for Melbourne City in the A-League.[26] After missing the first 10 games of the season with injury, on 20 December 2014 Koren made his debut in the Melbourne Derby, coming on as a substitute. On 30 December 2014, Koren scored a hat trick against Newcastle Jets in his first starting game. On 21 January 2016, he was released from his contract to pursue new opportunities.[27]

Personal life

Koren is married and has two sons and a daughter, Nal, Tian and Nia Koren.[28]

Career statistics

International
Source:[29]
Slovenia national team
YearAppsGoals
200340
200450
200550
200671
200790
200851
200992
2010110
201161
Total615

International goals
Scores and results list Slovenia's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
17 October 2006Arena Petrol, Celje, Slovenia Luxembourg2–02–0UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
219 November 2008Ljudski vrt, Maribor, Slovenia Bosnia and Herzegovina1–23–4Friendly
312 August 2009Ljudski vrt, Maribor, Slovenia San Marino1–05–02010 World Cup qualification
412 August 2009Ljudski vrt, Maribor, Slovenia San Marino4–05–02010 World Cup qualification
513 June 2010Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa Algeria1–01–02010 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Club

West Bromwich Albion

Hull City

Individual

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 240. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. Bizjak, Vitja (14 October 2020). "Nekdanji reprezentant odslej na klopi Fužinarja". Slovenski nogometni portal (in Slovenian). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  3. "Slovenian Koren joins West Brom". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  4. "Koren to miss big kick-off". West Bromwich Albion FC. 1 August 2007. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
  5. "Koren: "I was scared"". West Bromwich Albion FC. 22 September 2007. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
  6. "Koren pens new contract". West Bromwich Albion FC. 14 September 2007. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
  7. "Mowbray: Koren's a model pro". West Bromwich Albion FC. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
  8. "Koren makes select XI". West Bromwich Albion FC. 8 October 2007. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
  9. Craig Doyle (presenter) (24 January 2009). "FA Cup Highlights – Fourth Round". FA Cup Highlights. ITV Sport. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009.
  10. Season Statistics Archived 13 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine West Bromwich Albion FC
  11. "West Brom choose to release Koren". BBC News. 17 May 2010.
  12. "Tigers Bring In Koren". Hull City A.F.C. 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  13. "Slovenian midfielder Robert Koren joins Hull City". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  14. "Millwall 4 – 0 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  15. "Hull 2 – 0 Derby". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  16. "Hull 1 – 0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  17. "Away Draw For Tigers". Hull City Official Website. Hull City. 24 September 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  18. "Late Drama As Tigers Win". Hull City Official Website. Hull City. 22 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  19. "City Suffer Away Defeat". Hull City Official Website. Hull City. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  20. "Koren's Late Strike Wins It For City". Hull City Official Website. Hull City. 3 December 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  21. "Second Half Fightback Wins It For City". Hull City Official Website. Hull City. 7 December 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  22. "City Make It Four in a Row". Hull City Official Website. Hull City. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  23. "Hull City midfielder Robert Koren signs new deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  24. "Hull City 4–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  25. "Hull City's Robert Koren out for 4-5 weeks with foot injury". This is Hull and East Riding. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  26. "Koren signs marquee deal for Melbourne City FC". Melbourne City FC. Football Federation Australia. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  27. "Melbourne City FC Release Robert Koren". Melbourne City. Football Federation Australia. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  28. "Koren puts Baggies first". West Bromwich Albion FC. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  29. "Robert Koren". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  30. "Koren Named Player Of The Season". The Tigers Official Website. Hull City A.F.C. 21 April 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
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