Overview
Mental Performance Coach Jobs in Osijek, Osijek-Baranja, Croatia at NK Osijek
Title: Mental Performance Coach
Company: NK Osijek
Location: Osijek, Osijek-Baranja, Croatia
Position title Mental Performance Coach
Department Performance Department
Reports to High Performance Psychologist
Location Osijek, Croatia (on-site, with occasional travel)
Start date As soon as possible
Employment type Full-time preferred (candidates seeking a minimum commitment of three days per week will also be considered)
1. Purpose of the role
NK Osijek is seeking a Mental Performance Coach to support both First Team and Academy players.
The primary purpose of the role is to provide individual mental performance support through one-to-one sessions and regular interaction within the club environment. The successful candidate will help players navigate performance-related challenges, develop psychological skills, and maximise their potential both on and off the pitch.
2. Key responsibilities
Player support
- Conduct regular one-to-one mental performance sessions with First Team and Academy players.
- Build trusted relationships with players and become an accessible and visible presence within the club environment.
- Support players in managing performance pressure, setbacks, injuries, return-to-play processes, career transitions, confidence-related challenges, and other performance-related issues.
- Assist players in developing mental skills that contribute to consistent performance and personal growth.
- Identify individual player needs and implement appropriate support strategies.
Collaboration
- Maintain regular communication with coaching staff regarding player development where appropriate and within agreed confidentiality guidelines.
- Collaborate with the club's High-Performance Psychologist on player support strategies and performance initiatives.
- Contribute to the continuous development of a positive and high-performing environment across the First Team and Academy.
Administration and reporting
- Maintain appropriate records and documentation related to player support activities.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the High-Performance Psychologist as required.
- Participate in relevant staff meetings and performance discussions.
3. Required qualifications
- Demonstrated experience working with athletes, teams, or other high-performing individuals.
- Proven ability to build trust and strong working relationships.
- Experience in professional football preferred but not required.
- Psychology degree preferred but not required.
- We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including sport psychology, mental performance coaching, performance coaching, leadership development, performance science, and other relevant disciplines.
- Fluent in Croatian and English, both written and spoken.
4. Personal competencies
- Ability to build credibility and trust with professional football players from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
- Strong interpersonal intelligence, capable of knowing when to challenge, support, listen, or step back.
- Ability to navigate the realities of a high-performance environment, including pressure, competition for places, injuries, and fluctuating form.
- Comfortable operating in an environment where influence is earned through relationships rather than formal authority.
- Pragmatic and adaptable approach, capable of tailoring support to the needs of different individuals rather than relying on a single methodology.
5. What we offer
- Opportunity to work within one of Croatia's leading professional football clubs.
- Daily involvement with First Team and Academy players.
- Close collaboration with coaching staff and the club's High-Performance Psychology department.
- Opportunity to contribute to the continued development of a modern, player-centred performance environment.
- Competitive remuneration based on experience and in line with the club's internal salary structure.
6. Application
Candidates should submit a CV and a short cover letter (merged in one document) outlining their relevant experience, approach to mental performance, and earliest availability.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
NK Osijek is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to gender, age, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristics.
