Meho Kodro
Encyclopedia
Mehmed "Meho" Kodro Sejtanić (born 12 January 1967 in Gubavica
near Mostar
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
), known as Kodro, is a retired Bosnian
footballer who played as a striker, and a current manager
.
He played most of his 16-year senior career in Spain
, mostly with Real Sociedad
(four seasons) and Tenerife
(three), amassing La Liga
totals of 263 games and 105 goals. He possessed good technical skills and was equally as adept in the air.
. He appeared in only 14 Yugoslav First League
games in his first two years combined, but eventually became a starter, scoring 31 goals in his last two full seasons combined, and helping the club two the 1986
Yugoslav Cup
- he did not play in the final against NK Dinamo Zagreb however - and three consecutive top-three finishes.
When the Yugoslav Wars
began, Kodro migrated to Spain
- after scoring five goals in only five games in the last edition of the Yugoslavian championship - where he spent the vast majority of his remaining career. He first played with Real Sociedad
of San Sebastián
, always netting in double digits for the Basque
, including 23 in 1993–94 and a career-best 25 in the following year, finishing second in the Pichichi Trophy race to Real Madrid
's Iván Zamorano
.
In the 1995 off-season, Kodro was purchased by FC Barcelona
, starting throughout most of the season but only managing nine La Liga
goals for the Catalans
, including two in El Clásico
against Real Madrid (3–0 home win). After Barça came out empty in silverware, manager Johan Cruyff
- who insisted in his signing - was sacked and the player also left Camp Nou
, joining CD Tenerife
where he played three seasons, notably contributing with two goals in six games in the Canary Islands
side's UEFA Cup semifinal run; in 1998–99, for the only time in his career, he failed to find the net and his team suffered top flight relegation.
32-year old Kodro returned to the Basque region and joined Deportivo Alavés
in the 1999–2000 season. He retired from football the following year after one year in Israel
with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
In 2006, Kodro started his coaching career, being assistant to José Mari Bakero
at former team Real Sociedad. In the 2008 summer, he was appointed manager of the club's youth sides, and remained in the post for two years, when he was promoted to B team
duties, with the club in Segunda División B
.
for Yugoslavia
, his debut coming on 4 September 1991 in a 3–4 friendly loss in Sweden
. In the late 90s and 2000, he played for Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing in six 1998 FIFA World Cup
qualification
games, and scoring in a 2–1 away win against Slovenia
.
On 5 January 2008, Kodro was appointed head coach of Bosnia-Herzegovina, accepting the job after the Bosnian Football Federation met his conditions, which were to allow him to continue living in San Sebastián and to guarantee him full independence in football matters. Things quickly went sour, however: he led the side in two friendlies
, before refusing to take charge of the team for a game against Iran
scheduled for 26 May in Tehran
, arranged by the federation without his knowledge; as a result, he was fired on 17 May.
Barcelona
Maccabi:
Gubavica
- Notable persons from Gubavica :*Meho Kodro...
near Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the direct main predecessor to the modern-day state of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
), known as Kodro, is a retired Bosnian
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
footballer who played as a striker, and a current manager
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:...
.
He played most of his 16-year senior career in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, mostly with Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
(four seasons) and Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
(three), amassing La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
totals of 263 games and 105 goals. He possessed good technical skills and was equally as adept in the air.
Club career
Kodro's professional debut occurred in 1985 at the age of 18, with hometown club Velež MostarVelež Mostar
FK Velež , successor of RŠD Velež, is a football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the city of Mostar, founded on June 22, 1922....
. He appeared in only 14 Yugoslav First League
Yugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
games in his first two years combined, but eventually became a starter, scoring 31 goals in his last two full seasons combined, and helping the club two the 1986
1985–86 Yugoslav Cup
The 1985–86 Yugoslav Cup was the 38th season of the top football knockout competition in SFR Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav Cup , also known as the "Marshal Tito Cup" , since its establishment in 1946...
Yugoslav Cup
Yugoslav Cup
The Yugoslav Cup, officially the Marshal Tito Cup, was one of two major football competitions in the former Yugoslavia, the other one being the Yugoslav League Championship. The Yugoslav Cup took place after the league championships when every competitive league in Yugoslavia had finished, in order...
- he did not play in the final against NK Dinamo Zagreb however - and three consecutive top-three finishes.
When the Yugoslav Wars
Yugoslav wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
began, Kodro migrated to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- after scoring five goals in only five games in the last edition of the Yugoslavian championship - where he spent the vast majority of his remaining career. He first played with Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
of San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
, always netting in double digits for the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
, including 23 in 1993–94 and a career-best 25 in the following year, finishing second in the Pichichi Trophy race to Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
's Iván Zamorano
Iván Zamorano
Iván Luis Zamorano Zamora is a retired Chilean football striker. Along with former world-class forward Marcelo Salas and former world player of the year Elias Figueroa he is regarded as one of Chile's most recognized footballers.He was a member of the Chilean national team and played in the 1998...
.
In the 1995 off-season, Kodro was purchased by FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, starting throughout most of the season but only managing nine La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
goals for the Catalans
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, including two in El Clásico
El Clásico
El Clásico , also known as El derbi Español, is the name given in football to a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often if the clubs meet in other competitions...
against Real Madrid (3–0 home win). After Barça came out empty in silverware, manager Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON , known as Johan Cruyff, is a retired Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team as well as a member of the AFC Ajax board of directors. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with...
- who insisted in his signing - was sacked and the player also left Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
, joining CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
where he played three seasons, notably contributing with two goals in six games in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
side's UEFA Cup semifinal run; in 1998–99, for the only time in his career, he failed to find the net and his team suffered top flight relegation.
32-year old Kodro returned to the Basque region and joined Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
in the 1999–2000 season. He retired from football the following year after one year in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
In 2006, Kodro started his coaching career, being assistant to José Mari Bakero
José Mari Bakero
José María Bakero Escudero is a retired Spanish footballer, and the current coach of Lech Poznań in Poland.Having played mainly for Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, he began his career as a forward but was converted into an attacking midfielder, who possessed passing and netting ability José María...
at former team Real Sociedad. In the 2008 summer, he was appointed manager of the club's youth sides, and remained in the post for two years, when he was promoted to B team
Real Sociedad B
Real Sociedad de Fútbol B is a Spanish football club based in San Sebastián, in the autonomous community of Basque Country...
duties, with the club in Segunda División B
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
.
International career
Kodro earned two capsCap (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...
for Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
, his debut coming on 4 September 1991 in a 3–4 friendly loss in Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
. In the late 90s and 2000, he played for Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing in six 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...
qualification
1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone .A total of 50 UEFA teams entered the competition. The European zone was allocated 15 places in the final tournament...
games, and scoring in a 2–1 away win 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....
.
On 5 January 2008, Kodro was appointed head coach of Bosnia-Herzegovina, accepting the job after the Bosnian Football Federation met his conditions, which were to allow him to continue living in San Sebastián and to guarantee him full independence in football matters. Things quickly went sour, however: he led the side in two friendlies
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
, before refusing to take charge of the team for a game against Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
scheduled for 26 May in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, arranged by the federation without his knowledge; as a result, he was fired on 17 May.
Player
Velež- Yugoslav CupYugoslav CupThe Yugoslav Cup, officially the Marshal Tito Cup, was one of two major football competitions in the former Yugoslavia, the other one being the Yugoslav League Championship. The Yugoslav Cup took place after the league championships when every competitive league in Yugoslavia had finished, in order...
: 1985–861985–86 Yugoslav CupThe 1985–86 Yugoslav Cup was the 38th season of the top football knockout competition in SFR Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav Cup , also known as the "Marshal Tito Cup" , since its establishment in 1946...
; Runner-up 1988–89
Barcelona
- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 1995–96
Maccabi:
- Israel State CupIsrael State CupThe State Cup , is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israeli Football Association.The State Cup was first held in 1927–28 as the Palestine Cup...
: 2001–02