Abdulah Gegić

Abdulah Gegić (in Turkey known as Abdullah Gegiç) (born 1924 in Novi Pazar, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes - died June 21, 2008 in Novi Sad, Serbia) was a Yugoslav football coach of Turkish descent who also had Turkish citizenship.

Gegić began his coaching career as coach of the Yugoslav u-21 team, and later of the Yugoslav national football team. He coached Partizan Beograd to the Final of the European Champion Clubs' Cup (today known as the UEFA Champions League) in 1966 where he saw a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid. He was named the second best coach of Europe by France Football magazine. If Gegić had won the final, he would be named the new coach of Real Madrid.

Gegić then came to Turkey to coach Eskişehirspor, where he became very successful and lead the club to many victories. He also coached Beşiktaş J.K. (1972-1974), Fenerbahçe S.K. (1974-1976) and the Turkish national football team.

Gegić is nicknamed "Futbol Profesörü" (Football Professor) by the Turkish press. In 1979 he took the Turkish nationality and became a citizen of Turkey. Gegić is still an important figure in Turkish football having mentored most of the top Turkish coaches of today such as Fatih Terim, Mustafa Denizli, Şenol Güneş, and others.

On June 4, 2008, 84-year-old Gegić had a stroke and died 17 days later of the consequences.

External links

* [http://www.mtsmondo.com/sport/vesti/text.php?vest=100938 IN MEMORIAM: Abdulah Gegić] , MTS Mondo, June 21, 2008
* [http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2008&mm=06&dd=22&nav_id=304961 In memoriam: Abdulah Gegić] , B92, June 22, 2008