Ljubinko Drulovic
Encyclopedia
Ljubinko Drulović is a retired Serbia
n footballer, and a current coach
.
A winger, he spent the most notable part of his playing career in Portugal
, with stints at Porto and Benfica - ten seasons between the two teams combined, winning 14 major titles with the former.
Drulović represented the Serbian national team
in one World Cup
and one European Championship
, gaining nearly 40 caps
.
in summer 1992, Drulović signed a two-year contract with Portuguese
side Gil Vicente FC, but only played there until December 1993, after which he moved to top division giants F.C. Porto. Between both clubs, he finished 1993–94 with a career-best 18 goals.
Drulović is one of very few players to have contributed to each of Porto's five consecutive titles during the 90s. He was mostly remembered at the club for his pin-point assists
and incredible ability to cross the ball, mainly to the head of centre forward Mário Jardel
.
In 2001, already 33, Drulović moved to S.L. Benfica. After a slow 2002–03, he returned home and signed with FK Partizan
, being one of the most influential players in the club as it reached the group stage in the UEFA Champions League
; he moved back to Portugal a year later, finishing out his career with lowly F.C. Penafiel, alongside former Porto teammate António Folha
.
Drulović began his coaching career with modest Portuguese club G.D. Tourizense
, in 2006–07. At its closure, he obtained a professional coaching licence.
In early April 2008, Drulović became manager of FK Banat Zrenjanin
, in the Serbian first division
. As its fifth manager of the season – he replaced Žarko Soldo – he took over a club under relegation threat (8th place out of 12), with eleven matches to go. Eventually, he could not help prevent the club from dropping down a level, after a 1–4 loss to FK Vojvodina
, on May 17.
In June 2008, Drulović moved to Slovenia
, signing with NK Drava Ptuj
. Almost two years later, in January 2010, he was appointed coach of Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto of Angola
.
on 28 December 1996, in a friendly with Argentina
played in Mar del Plata
(3–2).
He went on to collect a further 37 caps in the following five years, appearing for the nation at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
and UEFA Euro 2000 tournaments, contributing with one goal (in the 3–3 against Slovenia
) and three assists
in the latter tournament, as the national side reached the quarterfinals.
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 footballer, and a current coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
A winger, he spent the most notable part of his playing career in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, with stints at Porto and Benfica - ten seasons between the two teams combined, winning 14 major titles with the former.
Drulović represented the Serbian national team
Serbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
in one World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and one European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
, gaining nearly 40 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
.
Club career
After playing out his contract at FK RadFK Rad
FK Rad is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. It plays at Stadion Kralj Petar I, which is located in the southern part of the city's Banjica neighbourhood....
in summer 1992, Drulović signed a two-year contract with Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
side Gil Vicente FC, but only played there until December 1993, after which he moved to top division giants F.C. Porto. Between both clubs, he finished 1993–94 with a career-best 18 goals.
Drulović is one of very few players to have contributed to each of Porto's five consecutive titles during the 90s. He was mostly remembered at the club for his pin-point assists
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
and incredible ability to cross the ball, mainly to the head of centre forward Mário Jardel
Mário Jardel
Mário Jardel de Almeida Ribeiro is a former Brazilian professional footballer.Jardel was most noted for his positioning on the field and "being at the right place, at the right time"...
.
In 2001, already 33, Drulović moved to S.L. Benfica. After a slow 2002–03, he returned home and signed with 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...
, being one of the most influential players in the club as it reached the group stage in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
; he moved back to Portugal a year later, finishing out his career with lowly F.C. Penafiel, alongside former Porto teammate António Folha
António Folha
António José dos Santos Folha is a retired Portuguese footballer who played mostly as a winger.-Club career:...
.
Drulović began his coaching career with modest Portuguese club G.D. Tourizense
G.D. Tourizense
Grupo Desportivo Tourizense is a Portuguese football club based in Touriz, Tábua Municipality. Founded in 1975, it currently plays in the Portuguese third division, holding home games at Estádio Visconde do Vinhal, with a 1,200-seat capacity.-History:...
, in 2006–07. At its closure, he obtained a professional coaching licence.
In early April 2008, Drulović became manager of FK Banat Zrenjanin
FK Banat Zrenjanin
FK Banat Zrenjanin is a football club from the city of Zrenjanin, Serbia...
, in the Serbian first division
Serbian Superliga
Serbian SuperLiga is a Serbian professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Serbian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Serbian First League...
. As its fifth manager of the season – he replaced Žarko Soldo – he took over a club under relegation threat (8th place out of 12), with eleven matches to go. Eventually, he could not help prevent the club from dropping down a level, after a 1–4 loss to FK Vojvodina
FK Vojvodina
FK Vojvodina is a football club from Novi Sad, Serbia. The club currently competes in the Serbian SuperLiga. FK Vojvodina is the third oldest football club in Serbia's SuperLiga, after OFK Beograd which was founded in 1911 and FK Javor which was founded in 1912.-History:FK Vojvodina was founded...
, on May 17.
In June 2008, Drulović moved to Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, signing with NK Drava Ptuj
NK Drava Ptuj
NK Labod Drava Ptuj is a Slovenian football club, which plays in the town of Ptuj. They play in the Slovenian Regional League.The club is named after the Drava river, which flows through the town.- Current squad :As of February 2011...
. Almost two years later, in January 2010, he was appointed coach of Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto of Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
.
International career
Drulović made his debut for FR YugoslaviaSerbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
on 28 December 1996, in a friendly with Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
played in Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is an Argentine city located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, south of Buenos Aires. Mar del Plata is the second largest city of Buenos Aires Province. The name "Mar del Plata" had apparently the sense of "sea of the Río de la Plata region" or "adjoining sea to the Río de la Plata"...
(3–2).
He went on to collect a further 37 caps in the following five years, appearing for the nation at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and UEFA Euro 2000 tournaments, contributing with one goal (in the 3–3 against Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
) and three assists
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
in the latter tournament, as the national side reached the quarterfinals.
Honours
- Porto:
- Portuguese League: 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99
- Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 1993–94, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2000–01 - Portuguese Supercup: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2001