Ljubinko Drulović

Football player infobox
playername = Ljubinko Drulović


fullname = Ljubinko Drulović
nickname = Drula
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1968|4|11
cityofbirth = Nova Varoš
countryofbirth = SFR Yugoslavia
height =
position = Attacking Midfielder
years = 1986-1987
1987-1988
1988-1990
1990-1992
1992-1993
1993-2001
2001-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
clubs = Zlatar Nova Varoš
Sloga Požega
Sloboda Užice
FK Rad
Gil Vicente FC
FC Porto
Benfica
FK Partizan
FC Penafiel
caps(goals) = - (-)
- (-)
55 (9)
77 (25)
40 (15)
225 (40)
50 (5)
26 (5)
23 (4)
nationalyears = 1994-2001
nationalteam = Yugoslavia
nationalcaps(goals) = 38 (7)
manageryears = 2006-2007
2008-2008
2008-present
managerclubs = GD Tourizense
FK Banat Zrenjanin
NK Drava Ptuj|

Ljubinko Drulović ( _sr. Љубинко Друловић) (born April 11, 1968 in Nova Varoš, Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a retired Serbian footballer and current coach. He played in Portugal for Gil Vicente FC, FC Porto, SL Benfica and FC Penafiel.

Career

Playing

After playing out his contract at FK Rad in summer 1992, Drulović signed a two year contract with Portuguese side Gil Vicente FC. He would only play year and half there since in December 1993, he transferred to Portuguese giants FC Porto.

He is one of very few players to have contributed to each of FC Porto's five consecutive titles during the nineties. Drulović will forever be remembered at Porto for his pin-point assists and incredible ability to cross the ball. He is linked to Mário Jardel during their FC Porto glory days for being the main provider for his many goals with the "Dragons". Although Drulović defected to FC Porto's rivals Benfica in the twilight of his career, he is still loved by Porto's supporters.

Before leaving for Portugal during summer 1992, he played in several smaller Serbian clubs: FK Zlatar Nova Varoš, FK Sloga Požega, Sloboda Užice, FK Rad Belgrade. Following an 11-year stay in the Portuguese league, he returned to Serbia in 2003 for a season at FK Partizan, only to return to Portugal the following year to wrap up his career with modest FC Penafiel.

A former Yugoslavia international, Drulović made 38 appearances for his country having played at France '98 and Euro 2000 finals.

Coaching

Drulović began his coaching career with modest Portuguese club GD Tourizense in season 2006-07. In 2007 he obtained a professional coaching licence.

In early April 2008, he became manager of Serbian football club FK Banat Zrenjanin, in the Serbian Superliga. [ [http://www.mtsmondo.com/sport/vesti/text.php?vest=92515 Ljubinko Drulović novi trener Banata] , MTS Mondo, April 4, 2008] As their fifth manager of the season he replaced Žarko Soldo taking over a club in relegation threat occupying 8th spot out of 12 with eleven matches left in the season. With two matches left in Superliga season, Drulovic's chances of keeping Banat aflot look very slim. [ [http://www.mtsmondo.com/sport/vesti/text.php?vest=97314 Banat se uzda u čudo] , MTS Mondo, May 16, 2008] As predicted he couldn't manage to pull of the escape for FK Banat as they got mathematically eliminated on May 17, 2008 losing 1-4 to FK Vojvodina on the second last week of the season. [ [http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=17&nav_id=299140 MSL: Banat ispao, ostalo 3 razlike, B92, May 17, 2008] ]

In june 2008 Drulović became manager of a Slovenian club NK Drava Ptuj.

References

External links

*sr icon [http://www.reprezentacija.co.yu/reprezentativci/Drulovic_Ljubinko.htm Serbian national football team website]