Dejan Savićević facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dejan Savićević
Дејан Савићевић
Savićević in 2007
President of the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG)
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 July 2001
Preceded by	Office established
Personal details
Born	(1966-09-15) 15 September 1966 (age 58) Titograd, SR Montenegro, Yugoslavia
Political party	Independent DPS (affiliated)
Occupation	Footballer football coach football administrator
Dejan Savićević Personal information Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Playing position Attacking midfielder / Winger / Forward Youth career 1979 Budućnost 1981–1983 OFK Titograd 1983–1984 Budućnost Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1983–1988 Budućnost 130 (36) 1988–1992 Red Star Belgrade 72 (23) 1992–1998 Milan 97 (35) 1999 Red Star Belgrade 3 (0) 1999–2001 Rapid Wien 44 (18) Total 346 (112) National team 1986–1999 FR Yugoslavia 56 (19) Teams managed 2001–2003 Serbia and Montenegro Honours Representing  Yugoslavia Silver UEFA U-21 Euro 1990 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Dejan Savićević (born 15 September 1966) is a famous Montenegrin former footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder. Many people think he was one of the best players in the world during the 1990s. He is also considered one of the greatest Yugoslav footballers ever.

After his playing career, Savićević became a coach. He then moved into football administration. Since 2001, he has been the president of the Montenegrin Football Association (FSCG). He is currently in his fifth term in this important role.

Early Life and First Steps in Football

Dejan Savićević grew up in Titograd (now Podgorica), Montenegro. His parents worked for the railway company. As a child, he loved street football. He played with friends on fields near his home.

Starting Organized Football

At age 13, in 1979, Savićević joined the youth team of FK Budućnost. He stayed for only three months. He was disappointed when he wasn't picked for a tournament. So, he went back to playing street football.

He also played a lot of futsal, which is a smaller version of football. He played for a local team called Tehnohemija. He was very skilled with the ball, even against older players.

In 1981, at nearly 15, he joined OFK Titograd's youth teams. This was a bit late to start professional football. But he kept playing street football too. In 1983, he joined OFK Titograd's main team. He soon moved to the bigger club, FK Budućnost.

Club Career Highlights

Savićević played for several top clubs. He won many trophies during his career.

Budućnost: Early Professional Years

Savićević played for Budućnost's youth team from 1983 to 1984. He also played nine games for the main team. On 5 October 1983, at 17, he scored his first top-league goal. It was the winning goal against Red Star Belgrade.

In 1984, he became a full member of the main team. He played 29 league games and scored six goals. This showed he was a rising star. In 1985, he signed his first professional contract. He scored 10 goals in 32 games that season.

His best season at Budućnost was 1986–87. He became the team's key player. He also made his debut for the national team. By 1987–88, bigger clubs like Red Star Belgrade wanted him. He chose to join Red Star.

Red Star Belgrade: European Champion

Savićević joined Red Star Belgrade in 1988. He joined other talented players like Darko Pančev and Dragan Stojković. His first season was tricky because he had to do mandatory army service. But he still played in important European games.

He helped Red Star win three league titles in a row (1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92). They also won two national Cups. The biggest win was the 1990–91 European Cup in 1991. This is now known as the UEFA Champions League. They also won the Intercontinental Cup in 1991.

In 1991, Savićević was voted joint second for the European Footballer of the Year award. He was also named the best Yugoslav athlete.

AC Milan: The Genius in Italy

In 1992, Savićević moved to Italian champions AC Milan. He joined other world-class players. His first season was tough, as he didn't play much. The coach, Fabio Capello, often preferred other players.

However, Milan's president, Silvio Berlusconi, believed in Savićević. This support kept him at the club. Milan-based journalists nicknamed him Il Genio (The Genius). This was because of his amazing skills.

His greatest moment came in the 1994 UEFA Champions League Final. Milan played FC Barcelona. Savićević had an incredible game. He set up one goal and scored a spectacular long-range lob. This helped Milan win 4–0.

He continued to play well for Milan. He won three Serie A titles (1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96). He also won two Supercoppa Italiana and the European Super Cup. He played 144 games and scored 34 goals for Milan.

Later Club Career

Savićević returned to Red Star Belgrade in January 1999 for a short time. He played three league games. The season was cut short due to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

He then played his final two seasons with Austrian club Rapid Wien. He retired in 2001 due to injuries.

International Career

Savićević played for the national team for 13 years. He represented Yugoslavia and later FR Yugoslavia.

Early Years and World Cup 1990

He made his national team debut in October 1986. He scored a goal against Turkey. He played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Yugoslavia reached the quarter-finals. Savićević played well, especially against Spain. He also had a big chance to score against Argentina.

Missing Euro 1992 and World Cup 1998

Savićević was selected for UEFA Euro 1992. However, Yugoslavia was suspended from the tournament. This was due to the Yugoslav Wars. This meant he missed almost three years of international football.

He returned to play for FR Yugoslavia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He played in two games in that tournament. He missed UEFA Euro 2000 due to an injury.

Career Statistics

Club

International

• Note: Yugoslavia was banned from international football in 1993, since 1994 FR Yugoslavia became the successor of SFR Yugoslavia national team.

Player Profile

Playing Style and Skills

Savićević's number 10 Milan jersey (next to Paolo Maldini's number 3 jersey) in the San Siro museum

Many people believe Savićević is the best footballer Montenegro has ever had. He was a classic number 10. This means he was a playmaker, someone who creates chances for others. He often played in an attacking midfield role. He could play in the middle or out on the wings.

He was known for being quick, agile, and technically gifted. He had amazing dribbling skills and close control of the ball. This allowed him to easily get past defenders. He was also great at seeing the field and passing the ball accurately. He could score goals too, with powerful shots and good free kicks. He was naturally left-footed but could use his right foot well. His talent earned him the nickname "Il Genio" (The Genius) in Italy.

Honours

Club

Red Star Belgrade

• SFR Yugoslavia Champions: 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92
• Yugoslav Cup: 1989–90
• European Cup: 1990–91
• Intercontinental Cup: 1991
• FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 1998–99

Milan

• Serie A: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1993, 1994
• UEFA Champions League: 1993–94
• European Super Cup: 1994

International

Yugoslavia

• 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship (runners-up)

Individual

• Ballon d'Or 2nd place: 1991
• AC Milan Hall of Fame
• Golden Badge for the best athlete of Yugoslavia: 1991
• SD Crvena Zvezda Best Athlete: 1991
• FR Yugoslavia Footballer of the Year: 1995
• ADN Eastern European Footballer of the Season: 1995
• The Sixth Star of Red Star (Šesta Zvezdina zvezda), as part of the 1991 Red Star team

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player in 2001, Savićević became the head coach of the FR Yugoslavia national team. He had no coaching experience before this.

Coaching Challenges

At first, he was part of a three-person coaching team. He was the main person on the sidelines. His team tied against Russia in his first game. They later won against Switzerland. But they did not qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Savićević became the sole head coach in late 2001. He coached the team during the UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying games. He resigned in June 2003 after a series of losses. His overall coaching record was 4 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws.

Managerial Statistics

Administrative Career

Savićević has also been involved in politics in Montenegro. He supported the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). In 1996, he appeared in TV ads for the party. He also supported Montenegro's independence.

In 2004, Savićević became the president of the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG). He has been re-elected many times since then. He was the only candidate for president for a long time.

Under his leadership, the Montenegrin national team has tried to qualify for major tournaments. They have not yet succeeded. The best result was reaching the play-offs for UEFA Euro 2012. The Montenegrin under-21 team has also played in many European U-21 Championship qualifiers.

Personal Life

Savićević on a 2006 stamp of Montenegro

Dejan Savićević married Valentina "Vanja" Brajović in the late 1980s. They had a son, Vladimir, born in 1989. Their daughter, Tamara, was born in 1992. The couple divorced in 2000.

His son, Vladimir Savićević, also became a footballer. He played for Montenegro's U19 team. In 2019, Savićević's daughter Tamara married footballer Aleksandar Kapisoda.

Motorcycle Accident

In 2005, Savićević was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident. He fractured both arms and a hip bone. He had several surgeries and a long recovery period.

Images for kids

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  Savićević in 2007

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  Savićević's number 10 Milan jersey (next to Paolo Maldini's number 3 jersey) in the San Siro museum

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  Savićević on a 2006 stamp of Montenegro