Darko Milanič

Born in Izola, Milanič began his football career with local side NK Izola. In the 1986–87 season, he joined Partizan. During his time at Partizan, he won the Yugoslav First League and the Yugoslav Cup twice.

After the 1992–93 season, Milanič moved to the Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he played for eight seasons and won eight trophies, including two Austrian Bundesliga titles, three Austrian Cups and three Austrian Supercups.

In 2000, at the age of 32, Milanič retired early due to injury and to pursue a coaching career in football.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29292258 | title = Leeds: Massimo Cellino confirms Darko Milanic is new boss| work = BBC Sport| date = 23 September 2014 | access-date = 23 September 2014 }}{{Cite news | url = http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-milanic-to-be-named-united-head-coach-tomorrow-1-6852962 | title = Leeds United: Milanic to be named United head coach tomorrow | work = Yorkshire Evening Post| language = en | date = 21 September 2014 | access-date = 21 September 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20140921150527/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-milanic-to-be-named-united-head-coach-tomorrow-1-6852962 | archive-date = 21 September 2014 | df = dmy-all|first=Phil|last=Hay}}

During his spell at Serbian club Partizan, Milanič earned five caps for Yugoslavia.[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/double-caps.html Players Appearing for Two or More Countries] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803173844/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/double-caps.html |date=3 August 2008 }} Even after Slovenia's independence, he was included by Yugoslavia in their squad for Euro 1992,{{cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1992/05/27/pagina-27/1245648/pdf.html|website=Mundo Deportivo|title=Pancev también renuncia a la Eurocopa|language=es|date=25 May 1992|access-date=5 June 2019}} but the nation would be suspended due to the Yugoslav Wars.{{cite web |first=Rok|last=Viškovič |title=Leta 1992 ni vedel, da je v Sloveniji tako resno |url=https://siol.net/sportal/nogomet/leta-1992-ni-vedel-da-je-v-sloveniji-tako-resno-66545 |publisher=Siol |access-date=26 June 2020 |language=sl |date=31 May 2012}}

Milanič later represented Slovenia, earning 42 caps.{{cite web |title=Darko Milanič – Nogometna zveza Slovenije |url=https://www.nzs.si/reprezentanca/default.asp?id_selekcije=1&id_igralca=16142&id_menu=10 |publisher=Football Association of Slovenia |access-date=26 June 2020 |language=sl}} He captained his country at Euro 2000, including a match against his former national team, Yugoslavia, which ended in a 3–3 draw.

After his football career, Milanič turned to coaching. He started his coaching career at his hometown club Izola. After that, he was appointed manager of Primorje and an assistant coach at Sturm Graz under Franco Foda during the 2006–07 season.

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Milanič was appointed as the head coach of Gorica, where he helped guide them to a third-place finish in the Slovenian PrvaLiga. In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, the team was knocked out in the first qualifying round after losing over two legs to Rabotnički.

On 29 May 2008, Milanič was appointed head coach at Maribor by Director of Football Zlatko Zahovič.{{cite web |title=Milanič na vroči vijolični klopi |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/milanic-na-vroci-vijolicni-klopi/123672 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |access-date=17 February 2021 |language=sl |date=29 May 2008}} He won the Slovenian PrvaLiga during his first year in the 2008–09 season. In May 2010, Maribor won the Slovenian Cup. After winning this trophy, Milanič became the first coach that have won all three domestic trophies in Slovenian club football, having won the Slovenian League and the Slovenian Supercup before that.{{cite web |author1=Tina Pertoci |title=Zahovič: Milaniču izrekamo veliko zahvalo |url=https://siol.net/sportal/nogomet/zahovic-milanicu-izrekamo-veliko-zahvalo-334124 |publisher=Siol |access-date=26 June 2020 |language=sl |date=13 May 2010}} He has achieved that in only two seasons.

At the beginning of the 2012–13 season, Maribor played in their fourth successive Supercup. The club defeated their "eternal rivals" Olimpija Ljubljana 2–1 to clinch their second Supercup title.{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/foto-video-maribor-superpokal-obdrzal-doma/287005 | title = Maribor superpokal obdržal doma |trans-title=Maribor kept Supercup trophy at home | publisher = RTV Slovenija | language = sl | access-date = 9 July 2012 }} In January 2013, Milanič was selected as the Slovenian Manager of the Year for 2012 by winning the league, cup and supercup.{{cite web|date=2 January 2013|url=https://www.nkmaribor.com/novice/?id=4739|language=sl|access-date=26 June 2020|title=Darko Milanič trener leta|publisher=NK Maribor}}

Milanič led Maribor to the group stages of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League as one of the losers in the play-off round of the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League, where they were eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb.{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/foto-minimalen-poraz-maribora-ki-napoveduje-srhljivko-v-ljudskem-vrtu/289952 | title = Minimalen poraz Maribora, ki napoveduje srhljivko v Ljudskem vrtu |trans-title=Minimal defeat for Maribor | publisher = RTV Slovenija | language = sl | access-date = 31 August 2012 }}{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/maribor-si-je-zobe-znova-polomil-ob-slovenskem-rablju-z-maksimira/290331 | title = Maribor si je zobe znova polomil ob slovenskem rablju z Maksimira | publisher = RTV Slovenija | language = sl | access-date = 31 August 2012 }} This was the second season in a row in which Maribor qualified to the Europa League main stages. They managed to get four points out of six matches,{{Cite news | url = http://www.nogomania.com/Slovenski-Nogomet/Ekipa/Maribor/Novica/Stiri-tocke-so-realnost.aspx | title = Štiri točke so realnost | publisher = Nogomania | language = sl | access-date = 7 December 2012}} defeating Panathinaikos{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/video-3-0-maribor-osupnil-evropo-in-prevzel-kar-vrh-lestvice/291914 | title = 3:0! Maribor osupnil Evropo in prevzel kar vrh lestvice |trans-title=3:0! Maribor astonished the Europe and took the top spot| publisher = RTV Slovenija | language= sl | access-date = 7 December 2012 }} and drawing with Tottenham Hotspur,{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/video-foto-maribor-naredil-tezak-izpit-z-veliko-tocko/294439 | title = Maribor naredil težak izpit z veliko točko |trans-title=Maribor passed difficult exam with a big point| publisher = RTV Slovenija | language = sl | access-date = 7 December 2012 }} both at home. On 9 November 2012, Maribor suffered a 3–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after a hat-trick by Jermain Defoe.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20164132 | title = Tottenham 3–1 Maribor | work = BBC Sport | date = 9 November 2012 | access-date = 9 November 2012}} In the final game of Group J, Maribor suffered a 4–1 defeat to Lazio.{{Cite news | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0204-0ea534bb260f-a9f5ea206214-1000--four-goal-lazio-leave-maribor-as-group-j-winners/ | title = Four-goal Lazio leave Maribor as Group J winners| publisher = UEFA | date = 6 December 2012 | access-date = 6 December 2012}}

Maribor confirmed their eleventh league title on 11 May 2013 after defeating Olimpija Ljubljana 2–1.{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/video-beric-zadel-za-noro-noc-v-stajerski-prestolnici/308592 | title = Berić zadel za noro noč v štajerski prestolnici | publisher = RTV Slovenija | language = sl | date = 11 May 2013 | access-date = 13 May 2013 }} In the 2013 Cup Final, Maribor defeated Celje 1–0, thus securing their fourth "double" in the club's history.{{Cite news | url = https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/maribor-na-kratke-pocitnice-z-dvojno-krono/309853 | title = Maribor na (kratke) počitnice z dvojno krono |trans-title=Maribor on short holidays with the double crown| publisher = RTV Slovenija | language = sl | date = 29 May 2013 | access-date = 30 May 2013 }}

On 4 June 2013, Milanič became a manager of Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga, with Novica Nikčević as his assistant. One of his first signings was Robert Berić, whom he signed from his former club, Maribor. Sturm Graz were knocked out of the Europa League after losing 1–0 on aggregate in the second qualifying round to Breiðablik UBK.{{cite web |title=Gefle comeback tops bill on night of surprises |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/020b-0e8573380565-4f67ac787a0c-1000--gefle-comeback-tops-bill-on-night-of-surprises/?referrer=%2fuefaeuropaleague%2fnews%2fnewsid%3d1976241 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=26 June 2020 |language=en |date=25 July 2013}} He led his side to a fifth-place finish during his first season during the 2013–14 season.

On 21 September 2014, during a press conference, Sturm Graz revealed that Milanič would be leaving the club to join an English side Leeds United after agreeing to buy out his contract at Sturm Graz to make the move.{{Cite news | url = http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-milanic-to-be-named-united-head-coach-tomorrow-1-6852962 | title = Leeds United: Milanic to be named United head coach tomorrow | work = Yorkshire Evening Post| date = 21 September 2014 | access-date = 21 September 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20140921150527/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-milanic-to-be-named-united-head-coach-tomorrow-1-6852962 | archive-date = 21 September 2014 | df = dmy-all }}{{Cite news | url = http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/21/leeds-united-makes-move-for-manager-darko-milanic/? | title = Leeds United makes move for manager Darko Milanic| publisher = NBC | date = 21 September 2014 | access-date = 21 September 2014 }}

On 23 September 2014, Milanič was appointed as manager of Leeds United on a two-year deal, replacing Dave Hockaday. He was joined at Leeds by his Sturm Graz assistant Novica Nikčević.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/l9x1e0mkjtui12nhj4m267y8n/title/united-confirm-darko-milanic | title = UNITED CONFIRM DARKO MILANIC| publisher = Leeds United A.F.C. | date = 23 September 2014 | access-date = 23 September 2014 }} Milanič parted company on 25 October 2014, minutes after a 2–1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29669485|title=Leeds United 1–2 Wolverhampton|date=25 October 2014|access-date=25 October 2014|work=BBC Sport}}

just 32 days after taking over, for failing to win any of his six games in charge.{{cite web|title=Darko Milanic: Leeds United part company with head coach|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29774801|work=BBC Sport|access-date=25 October 2014|date=25 October 2014}}

On 2 March 2016, Milanič returned to the Slovenian PrvaLiga club Maribor.{{cite news|url=https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/prva-liga/zahovic-na-vsaki-tekmi-krvaveti-drugace-rezultata-ni/387178|title=Zahovič: Na vsaki tekmi "krvaveti", drugače rezultata ni|language=sl|date=2 March 2016|access-date=14 July 2017|publisher=RTV Slovenija|author1=R. K.|author2=M. L.}} He became the Slovenian champion with the team in the 2016–17 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/prva-liga/cas-za-cago-v-stajerski-prestolnici-maribor-je-spet-prvak/421583|title=Čas za "čago" v štajerski prestolnici: Maribor je spet prvak|language=sl|date=6 May 2017|access-date=14 July 2017|publisher=RTV Slovenija|author=Aleš Vozel}} Milanič led Maribor to the group stages of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League after eliminating Zrinjski Mostar, Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, and Hapoel Be'er-Sheva in the qualifying rounds.{{cite news|url=https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/caroben-vecer-v-ljudskem-vrtu-maribor-sampion-v-ligi-prvakov/430598|title=Čaroben večer v Ljudskem vrtu: Maribor šampion v Ligi prvakov!|author1=Aleš Vozel|author2=Dolores Subotić|date=22 August 2017|access-date=23 August 2017|publisher=RTV Slovenija|language=sl}} In the 2018–19 season, he won his sixth league title with Maribor.{{cite web |author1=Rok Viškovič |title=Kralj Safet in ribič Darko |url=https://siol.net/sportal/prva-liga/kralj-safet-in-ribic-darko-503671 |publisher=Siol |access-date=27 June 2020 |language=sl |date=30 July 2019}} He resigned in March 2020 after a 2–1 home defeat against Bravo.{{cite web |author1=Marko Kovačevič |title=Premik šele v tretjem polčasu |url=https://www.vecer.com/premik-sele-v-tretjem-polcasu-10139019 |website=Večer |access-date=27 June 2020 |language=sl-si |date=9 March 2020}}

On 7 September 2020, Milanič took charge of Slovak club Slovan Bratislava, signing a one-year contract with an option for further two years, with Novica Nikčević named as his assistant.{{cite web |title=Novým trénerom futbalového Slovana Bratislava sa stal podľa očakávaní Darko Milanič |url=https://dennikn.sk/minuta/2029397/ |website=Denník N |access-date=7 September 2020 |language=sk-SK |date=7 September 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Mađerić |first1=Davor |title=URADNO: Milanič prevzel slovaškega velikana |url=https://snportal.si/legionarji/uradno-milanic-prevzel-slovaskega-velikana/ |website=Slovenski nogometni portal |access-date=7 September 2020 |language=sl-SI |date=7 September 2020}} He was sacked on 9 May 2021 after a series of poor results, despite reaching the cup final and topping the league table.{{cite web |title=URADNO: Darko Milanič po porazu ostal brez službe |url=https://www.nogomania.com/Novica/URADNO-Darko-Milanic-po-porazu-ostal-brez-sluzbe |publisher=Nogomania |access-date=9 May 2021 |language=sl |date=9 May 2021}}

On 30 June 2021, Milanič was appointed as head coach of Pafos on a two-year contract.{{cite web|title=Darko Milanic appointed as head coach|url=https://pafosfc.com.cy/archives/5229|publisher=Pafos FC|access-date=13 July 2021|date=30 June 2021}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was sacked on 10 May 2022 after a 1–0 defeat against Anorthosis Famagusta, one round before the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Znova ni zdržal do konca sezone: Darko Milanič je spet izgubil službo |url=https://www.nogomania.com/Novica/Znova-ni-zdrzal-do-konca-sezone-Darko-Milanic-je-spet-izgubil-sluzbo |publisher=Nogomania |access-date=10 May 2022 |language=sl |date=10 May 2022}}

On 22 June 2022, he signed a two-year contract with Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis Famagusta.{{cite web |title=Έναρξη συνεργασίας με Ντάρκο Μίλανιτς |url=https://anorthosisfc.com.cy/2022/06/enarxi-synergasias-me-ntarko-milanits/ |publisher=Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. |access-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622135219/https://anorthosisfc.com.cy/2022/06/enarxi-synergasias-me-ntarko-milanits/ |archive-date=22 June 2022 |language=el |date=22 June 2022}} He was sacked on 3 October after managing just five games.{{cite web |title=Darko Milanič po le petih tekmah ni več trener Anorthosisa |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/tuje-lige/darko-milanic-po-le-petih-tekmah-ni-vec-trener-anorthosisa/642435 |publisher=RTV Slovenija |access-date=4 October 2022 |language=sl |date=4 October 2022}}

On 8 June 2023, Milanič signed a one-year contract with the UAE Pro League side Baniyas for the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |title=Darko Milanič se ni mogel upreti klicu iz arabskega sveta, nekdanji trener Maribora ima nov klub! |url=https://www.nogomania.com/Novica/Darko-Milanic-se-ni-mogel-upreti-klicu-iz-arabskega-sveta-nekdanji-trener-Maribora-ima-nov-klub |publisher=Nogomania |access-date=8 June 2023 |language=sl |date=8 June 2023}}

{{updated|11 June 2024}}{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Partizan{{cite web |url=http://www.en.partizan.rs/52399-darko-milanic-emotional-man/ |title=Darko Milanic – emotional man |publisher=FK Partizan Belgrade |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010141506/http://www.en.partizan.rs/52399-darko-milanic-emotional-man/ |archive-date=10 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.en.partizan.rs/trofeji/ |title=Trophies |publisher=FK Partizan Belgrade |access-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626131426/http://www.en.partizan.rs/trofeji/ |archive-date=26 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}

• Yugoslav First League: 1986–87
• Yugoslav Cup: 1988–89, 1991–92

Sturm Graz{{cite web |url=http://www.sksturm.at/verein/geschichte/titel/nationale-titel/ |title=Nationale Titel |publisher=SK Sturm Graz |access-date=7 October 2014 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007213935/http://www.sksturm.at/verein/geschichte/titel/nationale-titel/ |archive-date=7 October 2014 }}

• Austrian Bundesliga: 1997–98, 1998–99
• Austrian Cup: 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99
• Austrian Supercup: 1996, 1998, 1999

Maribor{{cite web |last1=Plestenjak |first1=Rok |last2=Medica |first2=Damjan |title=Darko Milanič o največji razliki med Mariborom in Slovanom, Gajserju in še čem #video |url=https://siol.net/sportal/nogomet/darko-milanic-slovan-maribor-547328 |publisher=Siol |access-date=19 January 2025 |language=sl |date=6 March 2021}}

• Slovenian PrvaLiga: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2018–19
• Slovenian Cup: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2015–16
• Slovenian Supercup: 2009, 2012

Individual

• Slovenian PrvaLiga Manager of the Season: 2011–12[http://www.spins.si/aktivnosti_projekti/1/spins_xi/spinsxi_2011_2012.html SPINS XI 2011–12]

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{NZS club player|16142}}
• {{NZS national player|16142}}
• {{sports links}}
• [https://www.oefb.at/Profile/Trainer/1019854?Darko-Milanic Darko Milanič] at ÖFB {{in lang|de}}

{{Slovenia squad UEFA Euro 2000}}

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