1. Ljupko Petrović: The Serbian Football Manager
2. Time in Russia
3. Later Career
4. Legacy

Ljupko Petrović: The Serbian Football Manager

Ljupko Petrović (born 15 May 1947) is a Serbian football manager.
Early Career

Petrović began his managerial career in 1990 with Serbian club Sloga Kraljevo. He then managed FK Javor and FK Radnički Niš in Serbia.

Time in Russia

In 2000, Petrović became the first foreign football manager in the Russian Premier League when he was appointed as manager of FC URALAN Elista. According to legend, the club's president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, misheard Petrović's name as Leonid Buryak and agreed to his appointment.

Petrović brought a group of Serbian players with him to URALAN. He stated his goal was to implement "total football" and "bring the team out of crisis." However, URALAN only managed to earn 2 points in 16 games under Petrović, including a 9-0 defeat to FC Lokomotiv Moscow.

Later Career

After leaving URALAN, Petrović returned to Serbia and managed FK Crvena Zvezda (2002-2004), FK Mladi Radnik, and FK Hajduk Kula. He also managed clubs in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Legacy

Petrović's short stint at URALAN led to his name becoming synonymous with foreign specialists of low caliber. However, former player Akhrik Tsveiba claimed that Petrović was a competent manager who was ultimately undermined by unfavorable circumstances.

Trainer