Milan Živadinović

Milan Živadinović (, ; 15 December 1944 – 17 July 2021) was a Serbian football manager and player.

Club career

Živadinović made his senior debut with Red Star Belgrade in the Yugoslav First League at the age of 18, appearing in two games during the 1962–63 season. He later suffered a back injury that hindered his progress, going on to play for Čelik Zenica (1964–1965), Vardar (1965–1966), Sloboda Titovo Užice (1966–1968), Rijeka (1968–1970), and Crvenka (1970–1971), mostly in the Yugoslav Second League. After serving his compulsory military service, Živadinović spent some time with Novi Sad, before moving abroad to Südwest Ludwigshafen in West Germany.

International career

In 1963, Živadinović was capped twice for Yugoslavia at under-18 level during the qualifiers for the 1963 UEFA European Under-18 Championship.

Managerial career

Early into his managerial career, Živadinović spent one and a half years at the helm of Sutjeska Nikšić. He was also manager of Turkish club Sakaryaspor on two occasions during the 1980s. In between his two stints in Turkey, Živadinović was manager of Novi Sad in the Yugoslav Second League.

In 1986, Živadinović took over as manager of Yugoslav First League side Budućnost Titograd. He enjoyed success with the club, notably beating Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb during the 1986–87 season. Under his guidance, Dejan Savićević went on to emerge as an integral member of the team and became a Yugoslavia international.

In 1992, following his second stint at Budućnost Titograd, Živadinović was hired as manager of Red Star Belgrade. He managed the club for two seasons, winning the 1992–93 FR Yugoslavia Cup by defeating arch-rivals Partizan on penalties.

In August 1998, Živadinović was appointed as manager of FR Yugoslavia, replacing Slobodan Santrač following the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He led the team at the start of the qualifying campaign for UEFA Euro 2000, taking the maximum nine points in his three games in charge. However, in July 1999, it was reported that Živadinović would take over as manager of Saudi club Al-Nassr after the conclusion of Yugoslavia's involvement in the Euro 2000 qualifiers. He was consequently dismissed from his job with the national team and replaced by Vujadin Boškov.

During the 2000s and early 2010s, Živadinović served as manager of several African and Asian nations, including Iraq, Ghana, Yemen, and Myanmar. He guided Iraq at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, exiting the tournament in the quarter-finals.

Death

Živadinović died on 17 July 2021. Serbia president Aleksandar Vučić issued a statement on Živadinović's death, expressing condolences to his family, friends and admirers.

Honours

Red Star Belgrade

• FR Yugoslavia Cup: 1992–93

References

External links