Josip Kuže (13 November 1952 birth – 16 June 2013 death) was a Croatian figure in professional football who served as both player and coach. He is remembered for a long career that crossed domestic leagues and international assignments, including a spell as manager of the Albania national team. Kuže combined practical experience on the pitch with a pragmatic approach to coaching.

Career overview

Kuže began his involvement in the game as a professional player before moving into coaching. Over several decades he worked at club level and in national-team environments. His managerial work included youth development, first-team leadership and short-term national projects. He built a reputation as a reliable coach who could stabilise teams and introduce disciplined training routines.

Roles and responsibilities

  • Club manager: leading training, match preparation and tactical planning.
  • National team coach: selecting squads, overseeing qualifying campaigns and integrating players from different leagues.
  • Player development: mentoring younger professionals and guiding transitions from youth to senior football.

Across these roles Kuže emphasised organisation, work ethic and clear tactical instructions. He was often called on to improve team structure and to make pragmatic choices tailored to the available playing staff.

Legacy and significance

Although not universally known outside football circles, Kuže is recognised in his home country for contributing to the professional coaching culture and for supporting player development. His time with national teams added an international dimension to his career and illustrated the mobility of coaches from Croatia to broader European and international assignments.

Kuže's death in 2013 marked the end of a long involvement in the game; he is remembered by colleagues and players for his steady professionalism and for the practical, developmental approach he brought to both clubs and national sides. Further information and archival material may be available through contemporary reports and memorials about his life or through records of the teams he managed during his tenure.