Uri Malmilian

Football manager infobox
playername = Uri Malmilian


nickname = The Kid from Mamilla
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1957|4|24|mf=y
cityofbirth = Jerusalem
countryofbirth = Israel
currentclub = Hakoah Ramat Gan
position = Manager
years = 1973-90 1990-92 1992-93 1992-93
clubs = Beitar Jerusalem
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Hapoel Kfar Saba
caps(goals) = 465 (159)
nationalyears = 1975-90
nationalteam = Israel
nationalcaps(goals) = 62 (16)
manageryears = 1995-1996 1998-2002 2003-current
managerclubs = Hapoel Jerusalem Maccabi Netanya Hakoah Ramat Gan

Uri Malmilian ( _he. אורי מלמיליאן; born April 24, 1957) is an Israeli football manager and currently the manager of the Hakoah Ramat Gan.

Early life and Playing Career

Born in the neighbourhood of Mamilla in Jerusalem, Israel, Malmilian had a memorable playing career in the Liga Leumit at Beitar Jerusalem. He is regarded as one the best Israeli players ever.

Malmilian joined the youth system of Beitar at an early age. At the age of sixteen(16), Malmilian had his first appearance in the senior team of Beitar. In this first match he scored a stunning goal from a corner kick.

Malmilian had his big breakthrough in the 1976 season. He led the squad to the second place of the league and won Beitar's first important trophy, the Israeli Cup, after his goal in the 90th minute in the Final sealed the title. He was chosen as Player of the Season and was convoked to the National Team even before at the age of 18. This made Uri the youngest player ever to be convoked to Israel national football team.

In 1979 Malmilian received a lucrative offer from French club Paris Saint-Germain but he decided to keep playing with Beitar.

In the next few years he formed a devastating trio with team-mates Danny Noyman and Victor Levi. In 1986 Malmilian was the Top Scorer of the Israeli league with 14 goals in 30 matches.

In 1987 he coupled with Eli Ohana to bring the club its first championship.

In 1989 he won another Israeli Cup and then surprisingly announced a move to rival club Maccabi Tel Aviv. With Maccabi, Malmilian won another championship in 1992.

In 1993 Malmilian retired from active play.

Managerial career

His managerial career started with Hapoel Jerusalem where he managed to promote them to the Israeli Premier League.

He had success as the manager of Maccabi Netanya which he also promoted to the The Israeli Premier League but he quit after disputes with the club's management.

Later he managed Hakoah Ramat Gan which is yet another club that he managed to promote to The Israeli Premier League.

Last known job on 2007/8 season was managing Hapoel Petah Tiqwa In Liga Leumit. Malmilian won the Toto Cup for that league , but was fired later.

Icon

Uri is regarded as one of the great symbols of Jerusalem fans. He became so famous that to this day vendors in the Ben Yehuda market have a saying "Every apple a Malmilian", meaning that every apple is of Top Notch quality.

Honors and Awards

*2 Israeli Championships
*5 Israeli Cups
*2 times Top Scorer of the League

External links

* [http://www.beitar-jerusalem.net/articles.php?mode=showItem&sectionID=128&id=440 info on Beitar site]
* [http://www.fanzine.co.il/showquestion.asp?faq=10&fldAuto=88 info on Maccabi Netanya site]