Željko Čajkovski was a football striker who started his career with HAŠK Zagreb from 1942-45. He then played with Dinamo Zagreb from 1946-56, during which time he helped Yugoslavia win a silver medal at the 1948 Olympics. Čajkovski also competed for Yugoslavia at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. In all, he earned 19 caps, scoring 12 international goals. While with Dinamo, Čajkovski won the Yugoslav title in 1950 and 1954, and the 1951 cup tournament.
In 1956 Čajkovski moved to Germany, playing for Werder Bremen until 1958 and then serving as a player-manager for 1.FC Lichtenfels until 1960, leading them to the Bavarian amateur championship. He then became a football manager in Germany, with SpVgg Fürth from 1964-66, Borussia Neunkirchen in 1967-69, SSV Ulm 1846 in 1971-74, VfR Heilbronn in 1974, and finishing his coaching career with Wacker 04 Berlin in 1975.