The man who scored the final goal for a vanished nation
In short: Before becoming a decorated manager, Slaviša Jokanović etched his name into history with a single strike. In May 1992, he scored the final goal ever recorded for SFR Yugoslavia, just two days before the country was barred from international competition by the United Nations.
Jokanović’s career is defined by both physical presence on the pitch and tactical versatility on the sidelines. As a player, the Serbian defender was noted for his strength in the air. He enjoyed a significant tenure in La Liga, appearing in 208 matches and scoring 31 goals, primarily for Tenerife. His playing career also included a stint at Chelsea, where he made 53 appearances for the Blues between 2000 and 2002, and a successful period at Partizan, where he helped the club secure a league title in the 1988–89 season with Vojvodina and later a domestic cup and league conquest with Partizan.
His transition to management proved exceptionally fruitful. Jokanović achieved a rare feat by winning two consecutive doubles with Partizan, including a season where they won the league by a 19-point margin. He also found success in Asia, leading Muangthong United to the 2012 Thai Premier League title with an undefeated record. His ability to navigate the English Championship became a hallmark of his reputation; he guided both Watford and Fulham to Premier League promotion, achieving the latter in 2018 after a 1–0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.
However, his journey has not been without volatility. His managerial tenure has seen rapid shifts, from being named Serbia's 'Best Coach' in 2008—an award he famously refused due to poor UEFA Cup results—to facing dismissal at clubs like Levski Sofia, Hércules, and Sheffield United. From the high of leading Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Champions League group stages in 2015 to the challenges of managing in the Russian Premier League with Dynamo Moscow, Jokanović remains a nomad of the professional footballing world.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Slaviša Jokanović
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