Peter Cklamovski
Peter Cklamovski is an Australian football manager of Macedonian descent who is currently the head Coach of Malaysia national team.
Cklamovski built one of the most respected coaching partnerships in Australian football history as the trusted right-hand man of world-renowned Manager Ange Postecoglou, which spanned over 15 years and multiple continents.
Cklamovski began his professional journey in 2004 with Australia’s National Youth Teams, working under Postecoglou at FIFA Youth World Cups and AFC Championships, before moving abroad to Greece’s Panaxaiki FC and later joining Melbourne Victory FC in Australia’s premier competition, A-League.
In 2014, Cklamovski joined Postecoglou’s staff with the Australian National Team, serving as Assistant Coach through one of the nation’s most successful periods ever. As part of the wider coaching and support team, they led the Socceroos at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, guided the team to success at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup becoming Champions in what was Australia’s first ever continental title, secured their place at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and earned qualification for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018™.
Cklamovski also managed Australia under-17 team in 2017, guiding them through 2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification.
He later joined Postecoglou at Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan as Assistant Coach in 2018, helping the team secure the 2019 J1 League title, their first since 2004.
In 2020, Cklamovski became Head Coach of Shimizu S-Pulse in J1 League. He then managed Montedio Yamagata in J2 League, where he is credited with transforming the team's style into an attacking, win-focused approach. His tenure saw the Club achieve its best win percentage and points-per-game record in history while avoiding relegation and nearing promotion in 2022. Cklamovski was then signed by J1 League outfit FC Tokyo in 2023, where he would reshape the Club's footballing DNA with attendance surging to an all-time home Club record of 57,885 and an average home attendance of 33,225 which was second highest in the J.League for season 2024.
Cklamovski brought to an end a successful seven year spell in Japanese club football at the end of the 2024 J1 League season, taking up the position of Malaysia national team Head Coach in January 2025.
As of 19 November 2025, Malaysia are undefeated from eight matches under Cklamovski and sit top of Group F after Match Day 5 of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers.
Early life, playing career and education
Cklamovski played in Australia in the New South Wales Super League with Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Rockdale Ilinden. As a youth player Cklamovski was a Rockdale Ilinden junior and played in NSL youth league competitions with Sydney United and NSW ITC. Cklamovski was set for selection for the U17 Australian National Youth team until a serious car accident caused injuries that rendered this impossible.Cklamovski's first coaching job was at The Kings School Grammar, Sydney where he coached U14s and U16s in 2002 & 2003. He also worked at Westfields Sports High School as Head of Performance from 2002 to 2008. During this time, Cklamovski completed postgraduate degrees in Applied Science, Sports Coaching and Graduate Certificate in Exercise Science. During Cklamovski's coaching career he completed and Cklamovski also holds highest coaching accreditation, Pro License completed in 2016.
Managerial career
Australia national team
The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil saw Australia's group draw with three teams in the top 10 of FIFA rankings. The Socceroos were set to play-off against Chile, Netherlands and Spain. This tournament demonstrated a new way of playing for the Australian National Football Team under new Head Coach Ange Postecoglou and his coaching team including Assistant Coach, Peter Cklamovski.New hope and excitement was created in the way the team played, showcasing a new generation of stars joining established greats including Marco Bresciano, Tim Cahill, James Holland, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Mitch Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Mat Ryan, Adam Taggart, James Troisi, Dario Vidosic, Alex Wilkinson and Bailey Wright. Following the 2014 FIFA World Cup, training camps in September, October and November were used to develop the team for 2015 AFC Asian Cup success.
The 2015 AFC Asian Cup held in Australia resulted in the first major trophy for the Australian National Football Team, winning the Final against South Korea 2–1 with an extra-time goal scored by James Troisi in front of 76,385 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
As reigning Asian Champions, the Socceroos competed at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia where they would play 2014 World Champions Germany, Cameroon and Chile in the Group Stage. Postecoglou provided further emerging stars with an opportunity to represent the Socceroos including Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine, Jamie Maclaren, Aaron Mooy, and Tommy Rogic.
The following year, qualification was achieved for the FIFA 2018 World Cup but only after a grueling campaign, with the Socceroos finally clinching their place in the Finals after defeating Honduras 3–1 in the AFA/CONCACAF Playoff at Stadium Australia on 15 November 2017, where captain Mile Jedinak scored a superb hat-trick.
Socceroos' Head Coach Ange Postecoglou announced his resignation from the role on 22 November 2017, where he would later take up an opportunity in Japanese Club Football with Yokohama F. Marinos.
Australia U17
While working with the Socceroos, on 5 August 2017 Cklamovski was appointed by the FFA becoming Australian U-17 National Youth Team Head Coach. Cklamovski created a new process across recruitment and talent ID domestically by introducing a strategy called Elite Games. This approach was designed to bring a selected group of players in every state or selected region to play in higher level games mid-week. All games were launched online for National Team staff to review and Cklamovski then selected and assembled a squad for the AFC qualification stage. The Joeys qualified through the first stage of AFC qualification undefeated in Mongolia.Yokohama F. Marinos
In February 2018, Cklamovski was then approached by Ange Postecoglou to join him as his Assistant at J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos, where together they spearheaded a football revolution in Japan through the creation of the high tempo style of play known as “Marinos Football”.Yokohama F. Marinos committed fully to an attacking, possession-based identity, redefining the landscape of Japanese football. After an initial season of bold transformation, finishing just one point above relegation and reaching the Levain Cup Final losing to Shonan Bellmare 1–0 at Saitama Stadium, the foundations were set for future success.
In 2019, Yokohama F Marinos won the J1 League for the first time in 15 years.
This achievement marked the conclusion of a transformative chapter for Cklamovski alongside Postecoglou, a partnership that reshaped coaching methodology, tactical identity, and training standards within Australia and across Asia.
Shimizu S-Pulse
Following success at Yokohama F Marinos winning the 2019 J1 Title, J1 outfit Shimizu S-Pulse appointed Cklamovski as Head Coach in February 2020.The Club had experienced a decade of mediocre seasons and was recognized for a defensive orientated approach. Cklamovski was brought in to rebuild the team and implement an attacking style of play to excite the supporter base, which had been a trademark of his coaching career to date.
One week after signing his contract, a new general manager was appointed and the Club lost their attacking goal scoring weapon, Brazilian striker Douglas to Vissel Kobe, who was arguably the best striker in the league at the time.
In a unique 2020 with the challenges of COVID-19 season, Cklamovski led Shimizu S-Pulse through one of the most disrupted campaigns in J.League history, including a congested schedule of 33 league games across a 20-week period.
S-Pulse were developing and implementing a brand of football during the tight schedule, however, issues with player availability and squad depth led to a tough period of results.
With no relegation in the league and no player investment by the Club, Cklamovski drove a strategic rebuild centred on youth development and a modern football identity. Shimizu finished top five in J1 for minutes played by U-21 and U-24 players – including the debut of Japanese international Yuito Suzuki – laying the platform for a generational shift and marking a season defined by resilience, innovation, and cultural transformation.
Cklamovski resigned from his role as Head Coach on 1 November 2020.
Montedio Yamagata
On 30 April 2021, Cklamovski signed with J2 League club Montedio Yamagata and in doing so, became the first foreign Head Coach in the Club's history.Arriving in Round 14 – where the Club was sitting in the relegation zone – Cklamovksi delivered a rapid revival: a Club Record seven consecutive wins, a 12-match unbeaten run, and averaged 2.66 points per game which was another Club Record.
Across two seasons, Yamagata reached the J2 promotion play-offs, posted record goals scored and fewest conceded, plus adopted a new attacking identity which was resolute in defence.
Cklamovski’s impact extended off the pitch, where the Club attracted record player transfers, experienced increased commercial growth, and implemented clear development pathways.
However, the record transfers resulted in losing many key players from the historic 2022 starting XI team including Riku Handa, Kota Yamada and Kosuke Yamazaki.
In 2023, his contract was terminated in Round 7 with 6 points on the league table, 5 points away from sixth position.
Cklamovski departed the Club with the highest win percentage and points-per-game of any manager in the Club’s history.