Ilija Lukić
Encyclopedia
Ilija Lukić (born January 21, 1942) is a former Serbia
n football player.
. Having only 19 years, in 1961, he joined Second League FK Priština and he was soon regarded as one of the finest strikers in the country. That made attention turn to him and he signed with the FK Partizan
that was having that season their historic achievement of reaching the 1966 European Cup Final
that they lost to Real Madrid. After not getting much chances to play, he was moving next season to the California based Oakland Clippers
where he would help the club win the 1967 National Professional Soccer League
. Next year, he was back to Europe first in Dutch club Heracles Almelo
and, after a disappointing season there, to Franch Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais
. He stayed four seasons there becoming very popular among the fans. During this time the club had their most enjoyable period, winning the French Cup
in 1971. Following season he moved to another Ligue 1 club FC Rouen
before moveng to Ausria where he was appointed player-manager of Second League FC Linz
. Eventually archiving their goal to play in the newly inaugurated Bundesliga, he finished his playing career as a player-manager of Belgian FC Berlaar.
. As the first coach of Al-Ittihad he also lifted four national cups in Saudi Arabia, and two in UAE, one with Al-Wasl and another with Sharjah FC
. Together with Dimitri Davidovic
he won in 1999 with Al-Ittihad the Asian Cup Winners Cup
. As the manager of Al Ahli Jeddah he won in 2002 three big trophies: the Prince Faysal bin Fahad Tournament for Arab Clubs ( latter becoming the Arab Champions League
, the Golf Club Champions Cup and Saudi Federation Cup.
He has a degree in football from a Higher Coaching School of the Belgrade University's Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, as well as a Diploma from a University of California in San Francisco.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n football player.
Playing career
He started playing in the youth teams of Belgrade's FK ŽeleznikFK Železnik
FK Železnik was a football club from Belgrade, Serbia.Founded in 1930, the club merged into FK Voždovac in June 2005 and thus ceased activities.-History:...
. Having only 19 years, in 1961, he joined Second League FK Priština and he was soon regarded as one of the finest strikers in the country. That made attention turn to him and he signed with the FK Partizan
FK Partizan
Fudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
that was having that season their historic achievement of reaching the 1966 European Cup Final
1966 European Cup Final
The 1966 European Cup Final was a football match held at Heysel Stadium, Brussels, on 11 May 1966 that saw Real Madrid of Spain defeat Partizan of Yugoslavia 2–1.-Match summary:...
that they lost to Real Madrid. After not getting much chances to play, he was moving next season to the California based Oakland Clippers
Oakland Clippers
The Oakland Clippers were a soccer team based out of Oakland, California that played in the non-FIFA sanctioned National Professional Soccer League . Their home field was Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum....
where he would help the club win the 1967 National Professional Soccer League
National Professional Soccer League (1967)
The National Professional Soccer League was a North American professional soccer league that existed for only the 1967 season before merging with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League. It had ten charter members, nine from the United States and one from Canada...
. Next year, he was back to Europe first in Dutch club Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo
Heracles Almelo is a football club from Almelo, Netherlands.Heracles Almelo were founded on May 3, 1903 as Heracles, after the demigod son of Zeus. They changed their name on July 1, 1974 to SC Heracles '74 and finally settled on the current name in 1998. The club has won the Dutch national title...
and, after a disappointing season there, to Franch Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais
Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais Football Club is a French association football club based in Rennes. The club was founded in 1901 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Rennes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Route de Lorient located within the city...
. He stayed four seasons there becoming very popular among the fans. During this time the club had their most enjoyable period, winning the French Cup
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
in 1971. Following season he moved to another Ligue 1 club FC Rouen
FC Rouen
Football Club de Rouen 1899 is a French association football club based in Rouen. The club was formed in 1899 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Rouen plays its home matches at the Stade Robert Diochon; named after Robert Diochon, a historic player...
before moveng to Ausria where he was appointed player-manager of Second League FC Linz
FC Linz
FC Linz was an Austrian football club based in Linz, Upper Austria. It was founded on 30 June 1946 as SV Eisen und Stahl 1946 Linz, a factory squad of the public VÖEST steel company...
. Eventually archiving their goal to play in the newly inaugurated Bundesliga, he finished his playing career as a player-manager of Belgian FC Berlaar.
Coaching career
During his successful, 30 year, coaching career, he worked in 13 different clubs, at eight countries on three continents. He won four national championships, a treble with Al-Ittihad (Jeddah) in Saudi Arabia and one in UAE with Al WaslAl Wasl
Al Wasl may refer to:* Al Wasl, a historical reference to the emirate of Dubai* Al Wasl, Dubai, a locality within the modern emirate of Dubai* Al Wasl Road, D 92 an intra-city route in Dubai* AlWasl Club, a Dubai based multi-sports Club....
. As the first coach of Al-Ittihad he also lifted four national cups in Saudi Arabia, and two in UAE, one with Al-Wasl and another with Sharjah FC
Sharjah FC
Sharjah Sports Club is a United Arab Emirates professional football club. It is based in Sharjah city. The home stadium is Sharjah Stadium....
. Together with Dimitri Davidovic
Dimitri Davidovic
Dimitri Davidovic is a Belgian of Serbian descent former football player, and currently a football manager...
he won in 1999 with Al-Ittihad the Asian Cup Winners Cup
Asian Cup Winners Cup
The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...
. As the manager of Al Ahli Jeddah he won in 2002 three big trophies: the Prince Faysal bin Fahad Tournament for Arab Clubs ( latter becoming the Arab Champions League
Arab Champions League
The Arab Champions League is a football tournament for clubs in the Arab world. It was inspired by the UEFA Champions League.The Arab Champions League was first known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, and established in 1982. In 2001, it merged with the Arab Cup Winners' Cup to form the new Prince...
, the Golf Club Champions Cup and Saudi Federation Cup.
He has a degree in football from a Higher Coaching School of the Belgrade University's Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, as well as a Diploma from a University of California in San Francisco.