Blagoj Istatov (Macedonian: Благој Истатов; 5 April 1947 – 27 September 2018) was a Yugoslav and Macedonian football manager and player.[1]

Blagoj Istatov
Istatov in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1947-04-05)5 April 1947
Place of birth Strumica, PR Macedonia, FPR Yugoslavia
Date of death 27 September 2018(2018-09-27) (aged 71)
Place of death Strumica, Macedonia
Position Goalkeeper
Youth career
Belasica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1968 Belasica 14 (0)
1968–1973 Pobeda 144 (0)
1973–1976 Partizan 44 (0)
1976–1978 Utrecht 63 (0)
1978–1983 Belasica 72 (1)
Total 337 (0)
Managerial career
1983–1987 Belasica
1988–1989 Belasica
1990 Belasica
1991–1992 Belasica
1993 Dojransko Ezero
1995–1997 Belasica
1997 Skopje
1998–1999 Belasica
1999–2000 Dojransko Ezero
2001–2003 Vardar (assistant)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Born in Strumica, Istatov started out at local club Belasica, making his senior debut in 1964. He switched to Pobeda in 1968, amassing over 100 appearances in the Yugoslav Second League over the next five seasons.

In 1973, Istatov was transferred to Yugoslav First League side Partizan. He spent three seasons with the Crno-beli, collecting 50 appearances across all competitions. In Partizan's title-winning season of 1975–76, Istatov served as a backup for Radmilo Ivančević, appearing in three games.[2]

In January 1978, while playing for Utrecht, Istatov suffered a nose injury during a league game with AZ '67

In 1976, Istatov moved abroad and signed with Dutch club Utrecht. He was their first-choice goalkeeper for two seasons,[3][4] making 63 Eredivisie appearances, before returning to Yugoslavia to finish his career at Belasica.

Managerial career

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After hanging up his boots, Istatov served as manager of his parent club Belasica on numerous occasions.

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League
DivisionAppsGoals
Pobeda 1968–69[5] Yugoslav Second League 190
1969–70[6] Yugoslav Second League 300
1970–71[7] Yugoslav Second League 300
1971–72[8] Yugoslav Second League 340
1972–73[9] Yugoslav Second League 310
Total 1440
Partizan 1973–74 Yugoslav First League 180
1974–75 Yugoslav First League 230
1975–76 Yugoslav First League 30
Total 440
Utrecht 1976–77 Eredivisie 330
1977–78 Eredivisie 300
Total 630
Career total 2510

Honours

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References

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  1. "ИН МЕМОРИАМ: Почина македонската фудбалска легенда Благој Истатов" (in Macedonian). ffm.mk. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  2. "Blagoja Istatov" (in Serbian). partizanopedia.rs. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  3. "Seizoen 1976/1977" (in Dutch). fcutrecht.nl. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  4. "Seizoen 1977/1978" (in Dutch). fcutrecht.nl. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  5. "1968-69". historical-lineups.com. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  6. "1969-70". historical-lineups.com. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  7. "1970-71". historical-lineups.com. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  8. "1971-72". historical-lineups.com. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  9. "1972-73". historical-lineups.com. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
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