“Republic FC has been one of the best experiences in my entire career,” said Head Coach Preki. “Our players have worked harder than any I know. The fans, city and soccer community opened their hearts to the club as well as to me. This was not a decision I made lightly. The opportunity ahead is a lifetime dream for me and a chance to challenge myself at the highest level of the game.”
Paul Buckle will serve as Republic FC’s new head coach effective July 12. His experience extends to both playing and coaching football/soccer in England, including a 20-year playing career and over a dozen years and 320 matches as a club manager. He led Luton Town in the defeat of Premier League club Norwich City in the 2013 FA Cup, the first time since 1986 that a non-league club achieved such as victory and the first time in FA Cup history a club achieved such a victory at an away stadium.
“Republic FC has been one of the best experiences in my entire career,” said Head Coach Preki. “Our players have worked harder than any I know. The fans, city and soccer community opened their hearts to the club as well as to me. This was not a decision I made lightly. The opportunity ahead is a lifetime dream for me and a chance to challenge myself at the highest level of the game.”
Paul Buckle will serve as Republic FC’s new head coach effective July 12. His experience extends to both playing and coaching football/soccer in England, including a 20-year playing career and over a dozen years and 320 matches as a club manager. He led Luton Town in the defeat of Premier League club Norwich City in the 2013 FA Cup, the first time since 1986 that a non-league club achieved such as victory and the first time in FA Cup history a club achieved such a victory at an away stadium.
Buckle has already reported to Sacramento, Calif. and is working closely with Technical Director Graham Smith, Preki, Academy Director Rod Underwood and the entire coaching staff on a transition of duties. His first match as Republic FC’s head coach will be July 14 when the club hosts Premier League’s Sunderland AFC.
“Paul is a coach that has excelled in challenging situations and led squads above and beyond their potential,” said Technical Director Graham Smith. “In addition to his leadership of the first team, Paul’s commitment to develop talent and support the development of future players is one of the many reasons we believe he is the right fit for Sacramento. Our organization cannot thank Preki enough for what he has done to position the club where it is today. We wish him nothing but the best in his new role.”
Preki served as Republic FC’s inaugural head coach and led the club to a 2014 USL Championship. He was named 2014 USL Coach of the Year following an 17-7-4 regular season record and a second place finish in USL standings. Preki’s coaching record during his U.S. tenure is 72-53-35. He is the only coach in U.S. Soccer history to win both MLS and USL Coach of the Year honors.
Republic FC currently sits second in the Western Conference with 30 points and a record of 9-6-3 through 18 matches played. Ten matches remain in the club’s 2015 USL regular season schedule along with three friendlies featuring match-ups versus Atlas FC (Liga MX) on July 8, Sunderland AFC (EPL) on July 14 and Newcastle United (EPL) on July 18. To view a full schedule, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.
Predrag “Preki” Radosavljević Career Notes
- Started his U.S. career as an indoor soccer player with the Tacoma Stars and later the St. Louis Storm and San Jose Grizzlies. During his indoor career, he appeared in 370 career indoor matches, scoring 389 goals, named 1989 MISL MVP and 1995 CISL MVP.
- Appeared in 46 matches for Everton FC (EPL), scoring 4 goals.
- During his MLS career, he scored 79 career regular season goals, 112 regular season assists and added an additional ten goals and five assists in MLS post season play.
- Named the MLS MVP in 1997 and 2003 and also the MLS Golden Boot winner (most goals) in 1997 and 2003.
- Won the MLS Cup in 2000 with the Kansas City Wizards and won the Supporter’s Shield in 2000 and 2001; won the U.S. Open Cup in 2004.
- Retired as the all-time MLS points leader and was at the time the only player to have five 10 goal, 10 assist seasons.
- Is a member of both the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame and was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.
- Won the MLS Coach of the Year in 2007 and the USL Coach of the Year in 2014; only coach to win this honor in both leagues.
- Won the 2014 USL Championship as coach of Sacramento Republic FC
Paul Buckle Career Notes
- 20-year veteran English football player including stints with Brentford FC, Torquay United FC, Colchester United FC, Exeter City FC, Aldershot Town FC, Weymouth FC and Tiverton Town FC.
- During his playing career, made over 650 appearances and scored 62 goals.
- Started playing professionally at 16-years-old at Brentford FC including promotion to Championship.
- Served as captain at Aldershot Town FC when club was promoted; served in three promotions as a player.
- Began his managing career in 2005 as assistant manager at Exeter City under Alex Inglethorpe. Involved at all levels including Exeter City Academy. Part of Exeter draw against Manchester United in FA Cup third round.
- Consecutive FA Cup third and fourth round appearances from 2007-2013 including defeats of Wolverhampton Wanderers (2013), Walsall and Carlisle United (2010/11), Blackpool FC (2008/09), Yeovil Town (2007/08) and Championship-side Watford out of the 2011/12 Carling Cup.
- Three-time FA trophy finalists with Torquay United including two at Wembley at one at Old Trafford.
- Led Luton Town in 2013 to the fifth round of FA Cup beating Premier League Club Norwich City, the first time since 1986 that a non-league club achieved such a feat and the first time in FA Cup history a club achieved such a victory at an away stadium.
- 2012 Conference playoff finalist and 2011 League Two playoff finalist.
- Career coaching record is 139-77-95 in 312 matches managed.
- Awarded a UEFA PRO Diploma, the highest level of coaching license available, in 2010.
Buckle has already reported to Sacramento, Calif. and is working closely with Technical Director Graham Smith, Preki, Academy Director Rod Underwood and the entire coaching staff on a transition of duties. His first match as Republic FC’s head coach will be July 14 when the club hosts Premier League’s Sunderland AFC.
“Paul is a coach that has excelled in challenging situations and led squads above and beyond their potential,” said Technical Director Graham Smith. “In addition to his leadership of the first team, Paul’s commitment to develop talent and support the development of future players is one of the many reasons we believe he is the right fit for Sacramento. Our organization cannot thank Preki enough for what he has done to position the club where it is today. We wish him nothing but the best in his new role.”
Preki served as Republic FC’s inaugural head coach and led the club to a 2014 USL Championship. He was named 2014 USL Coach of the Year following an 17-7-4 regular season record and a second place finish in USL standings. Preki’s coaching record during his U.S. tenure is 72-53-35. He is the only coach in U.S. Soccer history to win both MLS and USL Coach of the Year honors.
Republic FC currently sits second in the Western Conference with 30 points and a record of 9-6-3 through 18 matches played. Ten matches remain in the club’s 2015 USL regular season schedule along with three friendlies featuring match-ups versus Atlas FC (Liga MX) on July 8, Sunderland AFC (EPL) on July 14 and Newcastle United (EPL) on July 18. To view a full schedule, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.
Predrag “Preki” RadosavljeviÄ Career Notes
- Started his U.S. career as an indoor soccer player with the Tacoma Stars and later the St. Louis Storm and San Jose Grizzlies. During his indoor career, he appeared in 370 career indoor matches, scoring 389 goals, named 1989 MISL MVP and 1995 CISL MVP.
- Appeared in 46 matches for Everton FC (EPL), scoring 4 goals.
- During his MLS career, he scored 79 career regular season goals, 112 regular season assists and added an additional ten goals and five assists in MLS post season play.
- Named the MLS MVP in 1997 and 2003 and also the MLS Golden Boot winner (most goals) in 1997 and 2003.
- Won the MLS Cup in 2000 with the Kansas City Wizards and won the Supporter’s Shield in 2000 and 2001; won the U.S. Open Cup in 2004.
- Retired as the all-time MLS points leader and was at the time the only player to have five 10 goal, 10 assist seasons.
- Is a member of both the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame and was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.
- Won the MLS Coach of the Year in 2007 and the USL Coach of the Year in 2014; only coach to win this honor in both leagues.
- Won the 2014 USL Championship as coach of Sacramento Republic FC
Paul Buckle Career Notes
- 20-year veteran English football player including stints with Brentford FC, Torquay United FC, Colchester United FC, Exeter City FC, Aldershot Town FC, Weymouth FC and Tiverton Town FC.
- During his playing career, made over 650 appearances and scored 62 goals.
- Started playing professionally at 16-years-old at Brentford FC including promotion to Championship.
- Served as captain at Aldershot Town FC when club was promoted; served in three promotions as a player.
- Began his managing career in 2005 as assistant manager at Exeter City under Alex Inglethorpe. Involved at all levels including Exeter City Academy. Part of Exeter draw against Manchester United in FA Cup third round.
- Consecutive FA Cup third and fourth round appearances from 2007-2013 including defeats of Wolverhampton Wanderers (2013), Walsall and Carlisle United (2010/11), Blackpool FC (2008/09), Yeovil Town (2007/08) and Championship-side Watford out of the 2011/12 Carling Cup.
- Three-time FA trophy finalists with Torquay United including two at Wembley at one at Old Trafford.
- Led Luton Town in 2013 to the fifth round of FA Cup beating Premier League Club Norwich City, the first time since 1986 that a non-league club achieved such a feat and the first time in FA Cup history a club achieved such a victory at an away stadium.
- 2012 Conference playoff finalist and 2011 League Two playoff finalist.
- Career coaching record is 139-77-95 in 312 matches managed.
- Awarded a UEFA PRO Diploma, the highest level of coaching license available, in 2010.