Božidar Maljković

Božidar "Boža" Maljković (born 20 April, 1952 in Otačac, Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia) is Serbian basketball coach, one of the most successful in Europe, having won a title with practically all clubs he trained, including four Euroleague titles with three different clubs (Jugoplastika Split, Panathinaikos and Limoges). Currently, he's unattached.

Biography

Having ended his playing career prematurely, at only 19 years of age, he started coaching immediately in a small basketball club Ušće in Belgrade, where he worked from 1971 to 1979. He then moved to KK Radnički, initially as an assistant to Bratislav Djordjević, but he took over as head coach the next season. His next stop was at Red Star Belgrade as an assistant to Ranko Žeravica from 1981 to 1986.

Maljković's big coaching break came at Jugoplastika Split where he arrived in 1986, taking over a talented youthful team. After having won two European Champions' Cup titles, three Yugoslavian Championships and three Yugoslavian National Cups, he took over FC Barcelona in 1991, where he won the Copa del Rey in the same season. Finally, in 1992, he moved to Limoges, where he won another Euroleague title. He then moved to Panathinaikos, Unicaja and Real Madrid.

After leaving Real Madrid, a lot of speculation appeared about his next coaching job. In an interview with "Sportski žurnal", he said that he had been offered the role of head coach of Lithuanian League club Žalgiris, but that he would only take the job in the summer after the season had finished. He also said that he received several other offers, but refused to disclose which clubs they were from. Finally, on March 9, 2007 he was unveiled as the new head coach of TAU Cerámica, replacing Velimir Perasović, who abruptly stepped down in mid-season due to health reasons. Coincidentally, Maljković coached Perasović for four years at Jugoplastika Split. [http://www.b92.net/sport/kosarka/kosarka.php?yyyy=2007&mm=03&dd=08&nav_id=235634]

However, after a heavy 14 point loss in the 2007 Euroleague Final Four to Panathinakos, Maljković was criticized in the Spanish press and a lot of speculation appeared about his future. During the off season, he and the club parted ways.

Clubs

* Ušće Belgrade: 1971-1979
* OKK Radnički: 1979-1981
* Red Star Belgrade: 1981-1986 (assistant)
* KK Split (Jugoplastika): 1986-1990
* FC Barcelona: 1990-1992
* Limoges: 1992-1995
* Panathinaikos: 1995-1997
* Racing Paris SG: 1997-1998
* Baloncesto Málaga (Unicaja): 1998-2003
* Real Madrid: 2004-2006
* Saski Baskonia (TAU Cerámica): 2007

Titles

International

:* 4 Euroleague Championships::::2 with Jugoplastika Split: 1988/89 and 1989/90:::1 with Limoges: 1992/93.:::1 with Panathinaikos Athens: 1995/96.:::1 runner-up with FC Barcelona: 1990/91.:* 1 Cup Radivoje Korać; 2000/01, with Unicaja Málaga.:::1 runner-up: 1999/00, with Unicaja Málaga.:* 1 Intercontinental Cup: 1996/97, with Panathinaikos

National

:*In Yugoslavia::::3 Leagues: 1987/88, 1988/89 and 1989/90, with Jugoplastika Split.:::3 National Cups : 1987/88, 1988/89 and 1989/90, with Jugoplastika Split.

:*In Spain::::1 Liga ACB: 2004/05, with Real Madrid.:::1 runner-up: 2001/02, with Unicaja Málaga.:::1 Copa del Rey: 1990/91, with FC Barcelona.

:*In France::::2 French Championships : 1992/93 and 1993/94, with Limoges.:::2 Cups of France: 1993/94 and 1994/95, with Limoges.

:*In Greece::::1 Greek Cup: 1995/96, with Panathinaikos.

Awards

*Coach of the Year in Europe (1988/89, 1989/90)
*European Coach of the Year awarded by FIBA Basket Magazine (1993, 1996)
*Coach of the Year in Yugoslavia (1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90)
*Coach of the Year in France (1992/93, 1993/94)

References

*es icon [http://www.aeeb.es/comite/miembros/maljkovic.htm Association of Spanish Basketball Coaches]

External links

* [http://www.basketpedya.com/Acc002InfJug.php?idjug=5690&idioma=3 Player career]
* [http://www.basketpedya.com/Acc002InfEnt.php?idjug=164&idioma=3 Coach career]