Miroslav Đukić

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Miroslav Đukić (Serbian: Мирослав Ђукић; born 19 February 1966 in Šabac, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a retired Serbian football defender and now head coach of both Serbia national football team and Serbia Olympic football team for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

[edit] Playing career

[edit] Club

Đukić began his playing career with hometown club FK Mačva Šabac and soon made a name for himself for both club and country. He was the last great libero in Yugoslav domestic football and was much in demand. Belgrade rivals FK Crvena Zvezda and FK Partizan both vied for his signature but Đukić opted instead for FK Rad.

Similar thinking took him to Deportivo in 1990. Deportivo were then a second division side but Đukić's decision would quickly be vindicated; Depor won promotion the following year and were soon competing at Europe's top table. Đukić will always be associated with the club, particularly for one moment in the final round of the 1993/94 season with the Spanish title on the line. Depor were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the final game against Valencia CF. Đukić took responsibility but missed and FC Barcelona were crowned champions.

Three years later Đukić moved to Valencia and three years from that Depor finally won their first league title. "God exists, they deserve that. Now I have peace in my soul," Đukić said. After twice appearing on the losing side with Valencia in the UEFA Champions League finals of 2000 and 2001, Đukić eventually collected some silverware himself as the Mestalla club captured the Spanish crown in 2002.

He saw out his career with CD Tenerife in 2004.

[edit] International

He made his international debut for Yugoslavia in a 1-1 draw against Turkey in Izmir on 27 February 1991. He would go on to win 48 caps, scoring twice, and represented his country at the UEFA Euro 2000. He was also a member of the squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but didn't play due to an injury.

[edit] Management career

[edit] Club

Though he might have continued playing beyond 2004 for CD Tenerife, his desire to take up a new challenge was even greater, so he trained to be a coach in Spain. Almost entire 2007, Đukić was the head coach of Partizan Belgrade. He had great success with the club, and praised by the management, the players, and the fans. He was also selected the "Best Coach in Serbia" for the year 2007.

[edit] International

The hard work paid off with his appointment as coach of the Serbia national under-21 football team with which he qualified to the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in dramatic fashion versus Sweden - after losing 0-3 at home in Novi Sad, the Serbian team demolished their opposition 5-0 away in the return leg, and led them to 2nd place in the tournament, beating the likes of Italy, Czech Republic and Belgium. On 19 December 2007 he decided not to extend his expired contract with FK Partizan. He is since the 25 December 2007 the Serbia national football team coach.

[edit] External links

• Serbian national football team website
• national-football-teams.com
• uefa.com
• Fudbaleri su vrlo monogamni, Vecernje novosti, June 30, 2007
• (Spanish) La Liga career

v • d • e Yugoslavia squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Kralj • 2 Mirković • 3 Đorović • 4 Jokanović • 5 Đukić • 6 Brnović • 7 Jugović • 8 Savićević • 9 Mijatović • 10 Stojković • 11 Mihajlović • 12 Leković • 13 Komljenović • 14 Saveljić • 15 Drulović • 16 Petrović • 17 Milošević • 18 Govedarica • 19 Stević • 20 Stanković • 21 Ognjenović • 22 Kovačević • Coach: Santrač

v • d • e Yugoslavia squad - UEFA Euro 2000 1 Korać • 2 Dudić • 3 Đorović • 4 Jokanović • 5 Đukić • 6 D. Stanković • 7 Jugović • 8 Mijatović • 9 Milošević • 10 Stojković • 11 Mihajlović • 12 Cicović • 13 Komljenović • 14 Saveljić • 15 Bunjevčević • 16 Govedarica • 17 Drulović • 18 Kovačević • 19 J. Stanković  • 20 Kežman • 21 Nađ • 22 Kralj • Coach: Boškov