Dario Vidosic Aims to Honor Father Rado in FA Cup Final

As Brighton prepares to face Manchester City in the Women's FA Cup final, the match holds profound significance beyond simply seeking their first major trophy. The club's head of women's and girls' coaching, Rado Vidosic, passed away in January after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving a lasting impact on the team and its coach, his son, Dario Vidosic.

Rado, who was 64 at the time of his death, joined Brighton just a year before and became a beloved figure within the organization. His loss was deeply felt, prompting Dario to take a month off from the Women's Super League (WSL) season to grieve. Upon his return in February, he led the Seagulls to a remarkable finish, securing a seventh-place standing and reaching the club's inaugural FA Cup final.

On Sunday at Wembley, Dario will lead his team with family members cheering them on. Reflecting on his father's influence, he stated, "Football connects a lot of people through life. You make great memories and it will be a nice day." He added, "I carry dad every single day with me into every game and I think about what he would tell me."

Dario, who was born in Croatia but moved to Australia shortly after, followed in his father's footsteps, both as a player and later as a coach. He expressed that football was intertwined with his childhood memories, saying, "From a young age it was probably with dad; everything was with him." His coaching journey began as an assistant under Rado at Melbourne City before he took the helm of Brighton's women's team in 2024.

The FA Cup final is particularly crucial as Brighton faces Manchester City, who are on the brink of a domestic double after securing the WSL title. Brighton has been steadily investing in their women's team, including moving to a new training facility and announcing plans for Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium. Star player Fran Kirby emphasized the desire to honor Rado's legacy, stating, "I'm pretty sure there will be no-one else prouder than Rado of Dario for getting there." Meanwhile, teammate Madison Haley expressed a shared commitment to making Rado proud, noting, "We all want to make Rado proud. I think he would want us to give absolutely everything."