Marcel Žigante
Encyclopedia
Marcel Žigante is a former Croatian and Bosnian football
player and manager.
His football career began in a small club called Šparta Zagreb in 1943. After the end of World War II
, he started playing for Dinamo Zagreb
in 1945. He did not stay there for long. First, he went to Borac Čapljina
and then, in 1949, he moved again to FK Sarajevo
. He played there until 1956, during which time he collected 182 league appearances. He played with Radnički Belgrade as they reached 3rd place 1955–56 Yugoslav First League. His next club was FK Sarajevo's city rivals FK Željezničar
. He played 47 games and scored 14 goals for the club. He decided to end his playing career in 1960. He will be remembered as one of the best right wingers
in 1940s and 1950s in Yugoslav football.
Although he was a geography teacher as well, he stayed in football as a coach. He was a head coach of FK Famos Hrasnica
(1962–1964) during which time they have entered Yugoslav Second League
. After that, he was a head coach of FK Rudar Kakanj
(1964–1965) and FK Leotar (1965–1966). In 1966, he returned to FK Željezničar where he was one of the creators of a great generation of players that won Yugoslav League Championship in 1972 alongside Milan Ribar. He worked as a head coach in 1966-1967 and 1967-1968 seasons.
In 1968, he was a coach of FK Bor
(1968–1972) which played in Yugoslav First League
at the time, and then in NK Čelik Zenica
(1975–1976).
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and manager.
His football career began in a small club called Šparta Zagreb in 1943. After the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he started playing for Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
in 1945. He did not stay there for long. First, he went to Borac Čapljina
HNK Capljina
HNK Čapljina is a football club from Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina club is currently playing in the Prva Liga Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine...
and then, in 1949, he moved again to FK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League...
. He played there until 1956, during which time he collected 182 league appearances. He played with Radnički Belgrade as they reached 3rd place 1955–56 Yugoslav First League. His next club was FK Sarajevo's city rivals FK Željezničar
FK Željeznicar
FK Željezničar is a professional football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo.The initial acronym stands for Fudbalski sportski klub , and the name Željezničar means "railway worker," given because it was established by a group of railway workers.Željezničar, alias "Željo," is the most...
. He played 47 games and scored 14 goals for the club. He decided to end his playing career in 1960. He will be remembered as one of the best right wingers
Winger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
in 1940s and 1950s in Yugoslav football.
Although he was a geography teacher as well, he stayed in football as a coach. He was a head coach of FK Famos Hrasnica
FK Famos Hrasnica
FK Famos Hrasnica is a club based in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as of 2009-10 season plays at Druga Liga Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine .The club was relegated from First League of the FBiH in 2003....
(1962–1964) during which time they have entered Yugoslav Second League
Yugoslav Second League
Yugoslav Second League was the second tier football league of SFR Yugoslavia. The top clubs were promoted to the top tier, the Yugoslav First League....
. After that, he was a head coach of FK Rudar Kakanj
FK Rudar Kakanj
FK Rudar is a football club from the city of Kakanj in Bosnia and Herzegovina.FK Rudar was founded in 1920 in the city of Kakanj...
(1964–1965) and FK Leotar (1965–1966). In 1966, he returned to FK Željezničar where he was one of the creators of a great generation of players that won Yugoslav League Championship in 1972 alongside Milan Ribar. He worked as a head coach in 1966-1967 and 1967-1968 seasons.
In 1968, he was a coach of FK Bor
FK Bor
FK Bor is a football club based in Bor, Serbia.- History :The club was founded in 1919 as a Serbian-French sports society under the name Asotiation Sportive Bor or ASB for short. It was managed by a Frenchman named Loren, the director of mechanical services in Bor mining company...
(1968–1972) which played in Yugoslav First League
Yugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
at the time, and then in NK Čelik Zenica
NK Celik Zenica
NK Čelik is a football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing in the city of Zenica.The name Čelik means "Steel" in Bosnian - it is derived from Turkish çelik...
(1975–1976).