Brighton coach Rado Vidosic – father of manager Dario – has died at the age of 64

Rado Vidošić, head of women’s and girls’ coaching at Brighton and father of women’s head coach Dario, has died at the age of 64.

The Women’s Super League club said last week that Dario would take a period of leave as he deals with a family matter in Australia.

The club said that Radu, who was born in Osijek in the former Yugoslavia, joined Brighton last January and played “an important role in the team’s historic 2024-2025 season, helping the team achieve fifth place in the English Premier League.”

Zoe Johnson, Brighton’s managing director of women and girls, said Rado Vidosic was an “integral part” of the club and that his impact “will forever be remembered”.

She added: “All our love and thoughts are with Dario and his family at this difficult time.”

“As well as being a highly respected coach, he was a much-loved member of our club and a key part of building our strong team culture,” added Michelle Walder, Head of Women’s Division.

He previously spent six years with Melbourne City FC in Australia, where he worked with both the men’s and women’s teams, and also held coaching positions with Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix.

Radu served as the technical director of the Melbourne City Academy before taking on the position of women’s head coach. Then he managed the men’s team and won the Australian League title with them.

Melbourne City said Radu was “a highly respected figure whose influence and impact on our club and Australian football in general will continue for many years to come”.

Brighton assistant coach Chris Roberts and first-team coach Arthur Brammer took over in Dario’s absence, with the duo overseeing wins over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fourth round and Everton in the Champions League.