Wikipedia

Miodrag Ješić

Miodrag Ješić (Serbian Cyrillic: Миодраг Јешић; 30 November 1958 – 8 December 2022) was a Serbian football manager and player.[1]

Miodrag Ješić
Ješić in 2018
Personal information
Full name Miodrag Ješić
Date of birth (1958-11-30)30 November 1958
Place of birth Osečenica, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia
Date of death 8 December 2022(2022-12-08) (aged 64)
Place of death Ruma, Serbia
Positions
Youth career
Žarkovo
1976–1977 Partizan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977–1985 Partizan 144 (13)
1985–1989 Altay 136 (40)
1989–1990 Trabzonspor 32 (3)
1990 Partizan 4 (0)
1992–1993 Altay 18 (2)
Total 334 (58)
International career
1982–1984 Yugoslavia 8 (2)
Managerial career
1994 Obilić
1996–1997 Radnički Beograd
1997 Mladi Radnik
1998 Radnički Niš
1998–1999 OFK Beograd
1999–2000 Partizan
2000–2001 CS Sfaxien
2002 Radnički Beograd
2002 Altay
2002–2003 Slavia Sofia
2004 Pegah Gilan
2005–2006 CSKA Sofia
2006–2007 Partizan
2007 Shirin Faraz
2007–2008 Litex Lovech
2008 Otopeni
2008–2009 Budućnost Podgorica
2009–2010 Al-Ittihad Tripoli
2010 Changsha Ginde
2011 Al-Tahaddy
2011 Shahrdari Tabriz
2012–2013 Najran
2013 CSKA Sofia
2014 Litex Lovech
2015 Yangon United
2015–2016 Sarajevo
2016–2017 Al-Arabi
2017 Al-Ettifaq
2018 Khor Fakkan
2019 Ismaily
2021 Al-Ahly Benghazi
2022 Maziya
2022 Al-Shoulla
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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After starting out at Žarkovo, Ješić was recruited by Vladica Kovačević to join Partizan in 1976. He was promoted to the first team by manager Ante Mladinić, but made his competitive debut under the guidance of Tomislav Kaloperović in the 1980–81 season.[2] During his stint which lasted until 1985, Ješić amassed 144 appearances and scored 13 goals for Partizan in the Yugoslav First League, helping the club win the national championship in the 1982–83 season led by Miloš Milutinović. He also found the back of the net in a memorable 4–0 victory over English side Queens Park Rangers in the return leg of the 1984–85 UEFA Cup second round.[3]

Subsequently, Ješić moved abroad to Turkey and signed with Altay on the invitation of his compatriot Kemal Omeragić. He was the team's top scorer in his first three seasons with the club. In total, Ješić collected 136 appearances and netted 40 goals for Altay in the top flight of Turkish football over his four seasons from 1985 to 1989.[4]

Following a season-long spell with Trabzonspor, Ješić returned to his homeland and rejoined Partizan in the summer of 1990 on the recommendation of his former manager Miloš Milutinović. He saw limited playing time that year, before deciding to hang up his boots, aged 32. In November 1992, Ješić came out of retirement to rejoin Altay. He definitely retired from playing when his second spell with the club ended in November 1993. During his time in Turkey, Ješić was given the nickname "The Butcher" due to his highly aggressive and physically uncompromising style of play.[5]

International career

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At international level, Ješić was capped eight times for Yugoslavia between 1982 and 1984, scoring two goals.[6] He played the full 90 minutes in a memorable 3–2 win over Bulgaria in December 1983 that qualified the nation for UEFA Euro 1984, but was omitted from the final squad for the tournament. His final cap came on 12 September 1984 in a heavy 6–1 friendly defeat to Scotland at Hampden Park.

Managerial career

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After hanging up his boots, Ješić returned to his homeland and started his managerial career at Obilić in 1994. He later took charge of newly relegated Second League club Radnički Beograd. In May 1997, with five games left in the season, Ješić resigned from his position after the club's president allegedly "proposed" him to draw with Dinamo Pančevo. He subsequently took over fellow Second League side Mladi Radnik, before making his First League debut as manager of Radnički Niš in April 1998. He served in the same role for OFK Beograd during the NATO bombing-suspended 1998–99 campaign.

In June 1999, Ješić was unveiled as new manager of Partizan, replacing recently departed Ljubiša Tumbaković. He guided the club to two convincing aggregate wins over Estonian champions Flora (10–1) and Croatian champions Rijeka (6–1) in the opening two qualifying rounds of the 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League, before losing 5–1 on aggregate to Russian powerhouse Spartak Moscow in the final qualifying round. After suffering an early exit from the national cup and finishing as runners-up in the league, Ješić was dismissed and replaced by his predecessor Ljubiša Tumbaković in May 2000.

During the summer of 2000, Ješić moved to Tunisia and agreed terms with CS Sfaxien. He won the 2000 Arab Club Champions Cup, but soon left his position due to a family tragedy and took a break away from football. After a comeback stint with Radnički Beograd in the Second League, Ješić was appointed as manager of his former club Altay in July 2002, but resigned the following month due to a lack of squad reinforcements for the new season.[7] He subsequently took charge of Bulgarian side Slavia Sofia in December 2002, replacing compatriot Žarko Olarević.[8] In August 2003, Ješić parted ways with them,[9] having finished fourth in the league the previous campaign. He then went to Iran and spent some time with Pegah Gilan during 2004.

In February 2005, Ješić was appointed as manager of Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia, winning the league title at the end of that season. He managed the team to a 1–0 away win over Premier League side Liverpool in the return leg of the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, but lost the tie 3–2 on aggregate.[10][11] Subsequently, Ješić qualified them to the 2005–06 UEFA Cup group stage with two 1–0 wins over Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in the first round.[12] He was consequently named the Coach of the Year in Bulgaria for 2005.[13] In April 2006, Ješić resigned from his position following a 1–0 home loss to arch-rivals Levski Sofia.[14]

In May 2006, Ješić rejoined Partizan as manager on a three-year contract.[15] He led the team to a 3–2 aggregate victory over Slovenian club Maribor in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup second qualifying round, followed by a 4–3 aggregate win over Dutch side Groningen in the first round to qualify for the group stage, but finished bottom of the table with just one point in four games. After a turbulent first half of the season, Ješić left the club by mutual consent in January 2007 and was replaced by Miroslav Đukić.[16][17]

In November 2007, after being dismissed by Shirin Faraz, Ješić departed Iran and returned to Bulgaria, accepting an offer to manage Litex Lovech.[18] He won the 2007–08 edition of the Bulgarian Cup with the club. In June 2008, Ješić moved to neighbouring Romania, becoming manager of Liga I newcomers Otopeni,[19] spending less than two months in charge.[20]

In September 2008, Ješić was unveiled as manager of Montenegrin champions Budućnost Podgorica.[21] He guided them to a runner-up finish in the 2008–09 season.[22] In June 2009, Ješić agreed terms with Libyan club Al-Ittihad Tripoli on a contract until June 2010.[23] He won the 2009 Libyan Super Cup, as well as the 2009–10 Libyan Premier League title. In June 2010, Ješić was appointed as manager of Chinese Super League side Changsha Ginde in an attempt to save the club from relegation.

After his brief stint with Al-Tahaddy ended abruptly due to the civil war in Libya, Ješić became manager of Persian Gulf Cup club Shahrdari Tabriz in June 2011.[24] He was relieved from his duties in December of that year due to poor results in the first half of the season.[25] In May 2012, it was announced that Ješić would be taking the helm of Saudi Pro League side Najran.[26] He was sacked and replaced with Khemais Labidi in January 2013.[27] Less than a week later, Ješić was confirmed as manager of CSKA Sofia, returning for his second spell with the club. He was surprisingly dismissed after just two months, having won one of his two games in charge.[28]

Ješić with Litex Lovech in 2014

In March 2014, Ješić returned to Litex Lovech and managed them until the end of the season.[29] He was subsequently manager of Myanmar National League side Yangon United for the majority of the 2015 campaign. In September 2015, Ješić took over the helm of defending Bosnian champions Sarajevo.[30] He left the club by mutual consent in March 2016 following the team's elimination from the national cup in the quarter-finals by Sloboda Tuzla.[31] Between November 2016 and March 2017, Ješić served as manager of Kuwaiti club Al-Arabi.

In June 2017, Ješić was appointed as manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.[32] He was dismissed from his position in December and replaced by Saad Al-Shehri.[33] In June 2018, Ješić agreed terms with UAE First Division League side Khor Fakkan.[34] He was relieved from his duties in October following the team's poor performances in the 2018–19 UAE President's Cup preliminary round.[35] In August 2019, Ješić was announced as new manager of Egyptian Premier League club Ismaily.[36] He parted ways with them in early December after winning two and losing three out of their five matches at the start of the league campaign.[37]

In July 2021, Ješić returned to Libya as manager of Al-Ahly Benghazi.[38] He subsequently took charge of Maldivian champions Maziya in February 2022.[39] After securing the Dhivehi Premier League title two games before the end of the season,[40] Ješić mutually terminated his contract with the club in order to take over as manager of Saudi First Division League side Al-Shoulla in July 2022.[41] He departed the club in September.

Death

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Ješić died in a car accident near the town of Ruma on 8 December 2022.[42] He was buried next to his daughter Jelena, who died from complications following a car accident in December 2000 at the age of 18.[43]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Partizan 1980–81 Yugoslav First League 27230—302
1981–82 Yugoslav First League 26310—273
1982–83 Yugoslav First League 27110—281
1983–84 Yugoslav First League 324104[b]0374
1984–85 Yugoslav First League 323305[c]1404
Total 14413909116214
Altay 1985–86 Turkish First League 361163—4214
1986–87 Turkish First League 321020—3410
1987–88 Turkish First League 361241—4013
1988–89 Turkish First League 32721—348
Total 13640145—15045
Trabzonspor 1989–90 Turkish First League 32340—363
Partizan 1990–91 Yugoslav First League 40202[c]080
Altay 1992–93 Turkish First League 12210—132
1993–94 Turkish First League 6000—60
Total 18210—192
Career total 3345830511137564
  1. ↑ Includes Yugoslav Cup, Turkish Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in European Cup
  3. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[44]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Yugoslavia 198221
198351
198410
Total82

Managerial

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Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Radnički Niš April 1998 May 1998 7331042.86
Partizan June 1999 May 2000 503767074.00
Altay July 2002 August 2002 0000!—
Slavia Sofia December 2002 August 2003 181035055.56
CSKA Sofia February 2005 April 2006 513759072.55
Partizan May 2006 January 2007 261259046.15
Litex Lovech November 2007 May 2008 231553065.22
Otopeni June 2008 August 2008 4004000.00
Budućnost Podgorica September 2008 May 2009 342284064.71
Al-Tahaddy February 2011 February 2011 0000!—
CSKA Sofia January 2013 March 2013 2101050.00
Litex Lovech March 2014 May 2014 10424040.00
Sarajevo[45] September 2015 March 2016 16925056.25
Ismaily August 2019 December 2019 5203040.00
Maziya February 2022 July 2022 221903086.36
Total 2681713958063.81

Honours

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Player

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Manager

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CS Sfaxien

CSKA Sofia[46]

Litex Lovech

Al-Ittihad Tripoli

Maziya

Individual

  • Coach of the Year in Bulgaria: 2005

References

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  1. ↑ "Former footballer dies in car crash". report.az. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Intervju: Miodrag Ješić, 17.07.2013" (in Serbian). crnobelanostalgija.com. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić" (in Serbian). partizanopedia.rs. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Miodrag Jesic" (in Turkish). mackolik.com. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Yesiç'ten Rıdvan Dilmen için şok iddia!" (in Turkish). milliyet.com.tr. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Ješić Miodrag" (in Serbian). reprezentacija.rs. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Altay'da Yesiç istifa etti" (in Turkish). ntv.com.tr. 8 August 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Ješic accepts Slavia challenge". uefa.com. 18 December 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Coaches quit in Bulgaria". uefa.com. 25 August 2003. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Liverpool through despite defeat". uefa.com. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Red-faced Liverpool given a scare". theguardian.com. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Ješić seeks second German scalp". uefa.com. 19 October 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Berbatov keeps top Bulgarian award". cnn.com. 24 December 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Levski catch CSKA in title race". uefa.com. 18 April 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Ješić kod kuće" (in Serbian). blic.rs. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Partizan name Djukic as new coach". cnn.com. 9 January 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Ješić: Rastali smo se kao prijatelji" (in Serbian). mondo.rs. 9 January 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Ješić back in Bulgaria with Litex". uefa.com. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Jesic a fost prezentat la Otopeni" (in Romanian). prosport.ro. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Jesici a fost dat afară de la Otopeni!" (in Romanian). prosport.ro. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić trener Budućnosti!" (in Serbian). mondo.rs. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "Ješić: Prvenstvo Crne Gore neregularno" (in Serbian). mondo.rs. 31 May 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić u Libiji" (in Serbian). b92.net. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  24. ↑ "یسیچ سرمربی تیم فوتبال شهرداری تبریز شد" (in Persian). irna.ir. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  25. ↑ "Ješić dobio otkaz u Iranu" (in Montenegrin). vijesti.me. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "نجران يتعاقد مع المدرب الصربي ميودراج ياشيش" (in Arabic). al-jazirah.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "الراهب يفاضل بين عرضي الشباب والاتفاق" (in Arabic). al-jazirah.com. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  28. ↑ "CSKA sack boss after two games in charge". aljazeera.com. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  29. ↑ "Balakov handed Litex Lovech reins". uefa.com. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić novi trener FK Sarajevo" (in Bosnian). aljazeera.net. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Ješić više nije trener FK Sarajevo" (in Bosnian). aljazeera.net. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  32. ↑ "ميودراغ يقود الاتفاق" (in Arabic). okaz.com.sa. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "الاتفاق يقيل ميودراغ.. ويعين الشهري" (in Arabic). okaz.com.sa. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  34. ↑ "جيسيج مدرباً لخورفكان" (in Arabic). emaratalyoum.com. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "خورفكان يقيل المدرب الصربي ميودراغ" (in Arabic). emaratalyoum.com. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "Egypt's struggling side Ismaily name Serbian Jesic as new coach". ahram.org.eg. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  37. ↑ "Egypt's Ismaily part ways with Serbian coach Jesic after league slump". ahram.org.eg. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  38. ↑ "Ješić nastavlja karijeru u Libiji" (in Montenegrin). meridiansport.me. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  39. ↑ "މާޒިޔާގެ ކޯޗަކަށް ޖެސިކް ހަމަޖައްސައިފި" (in Divehi). hoara.mv. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  40. ↑ "މާޒިޔާއެކު ހަދާފައިވާ އެއްބަސްވުން ކޯޗު ޖެސިކް އުވާލައިފި" (in Divehi). vaguthu.mv. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  41. ↑ "AZIJA: Ješić pokorio Maldive i otišao, pa Mazija završava sezonu bez srpskog trenera" (in Serbian). mozzartsport.com. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  42. ↑ "Poginuo nekadašnji trener Budućnosti i Partizana Miodrag Ješić" (in Montenegrin). vijesti.me. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  43. ↑ "KOMEMORACIJA MIODRAGU JEŠIĆU: Partizan se oprostio od velikog trenera i igrača koji je proslavio Humsku" (in Serbian). novosti.rs. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić, international football player". eu-football.info. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić" (in Bosnian). bordovremeplov.ba. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "Miodrag Ješić". fccska.com. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
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