Ilir Daja
{{Short description|Albanian footballer and coach}}
{{Distinguish|Eli Dasa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ilir Daja
| image = Ilir Daja 2017.jpg
| caption = Daja in 2017
| fullname = Ilir Daja
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|10|20}}
| birth_place = Tirana, Albania
| height =
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Dinamo City (manager)
| youthyears1 = 1974–1980
| youthclubs1 = 17 Nëntori
| youthyears2 = 1980–1987
| youthclubs2 = Dinamo Tirana
| years1 = 1987–1988
| clubs1 = Besa
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 1988–1991
| clubs2 = Dinamo Tirana
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| manageryears1 = 2004–2005
| managerclubs1 = Pogradeci
| manageryears2 = 2005–2006
| managerclubs2 = Elbasani
| manageryears3 = 2007–2008
| managerclubs3 = Dinamo Tirana
| manageryears4 = 2008–2009
| managerclubs4 = Besa Kavajë
| manageryears5 = 2011
| managerclubs5 = Dinamo Tirana
| manageryears6 = 2012–2013
| managerclubs6 = Besa
| manageryears7 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs7 = Tirana
| manageryears8 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs8 = Skënderbeu
| manageryears9 = 2018–2019
| managerclubs9 = Flamurtari
| manageryears10 = 2019–2020
| managerclubs10 = Skënderbeu
| manageryears11 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs11 = Partizani
| manageryears12 = 2022–2024
| managerclubs12 = Ballkani
| manageryears13 = 2024–
| managerclubs13 = Dinamo City
}}
Ilir Daja (born 20 October 1966) is an Albanian professional football coach and former player. He is the current manager of Dinamo City. He has won the Albanian League as a coach with three clubs: Elbasani, Dinamo Tirana and Skënderbeu. He also won the Kosovo Superleague three times with FC Ballkani and lead them to qualification for the group stage of UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022–23 and 2023–24.
Club career
Daja spent his youth career with 17 Nëntori, before playing for Dinamo Tirana for ten years.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/nje-jete-ne-futboll-ilir-daja-ju-rrefej-50-vitet-e-mia/|title=Një jetë në futboll, Ilir Daja: Ju rrëfej 50 vitet e mia|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|author=Jetmir Halilaj|date=22 October 2016|access-date=30 October 2016}} In 1989, in Dinamo's European Champion Clubs' Cup clash against Dinamo București, Daja suffered a major knee injury that forced him to go on surgery several times.
Managerial career
Daja started his managerial career in 2005 with Elbasani whom he stayed until 2007, helping the club to win the Kategoria Superiore in 2005–06 season. Then he signed with Dinamo Tirana two seasons later to prevail again in this competition.
=Tirana=
In October 2015, Daja begun negotiations with Tirana and on 28th,{{cite news|url=http://infoalbania.al/tirana-prane-firmes-me-trajnerin-ilir-daja/|title=Tirana pranë firmës me trajnerin Ilir Daja|language=sq|publisher=InfoAlbania.al|date=21 October 2015|access-date=15 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222122713/http://infoalbania.al/tirana-prane-firmes-me-trajnerin-ilir-daja/|url-status=dead}} Daja signed a contract until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2015/10/28/ilir-daja-merr-drejtimin-e-skuadres-se-tiranes|title=Ilir Daja merr drejtimin e skuadrës së Tiranës|publisher=Gazeta Tema|language=sq|date=28 October 2015|access-date=15 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223053127/http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2015/10/28/ilir-daja-merr-drejtimin-e-skuadres-se-tiranes/|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=dead}} He was presented to the media the next day.{{cite news|url=http://tvklan.al/ilir-daja-prezantohet-te-tirana-2/|title=Ilir Daja prezantohet te Tirana|publisher=TV Klan|language=sq|date=29 October 2015|access-date=15 December 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222083027/http://tvklan.al/ilir-daja-prezantohet-te-tirana-2/|archive-date=22 December 2015}} Tirana defeated Kukësi 2–1 at home in Daja's first match in charge, returning in winning ways after three league matches.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/11/01/albania/super-league/kf-tirana/ks-perparimi-kukes/2074023/|title=Tirana vs. Kukësi 2 – 1|publisher=Soccerway|date=1 November 2015|access-date=30 October 2016}} On 1 November 2016, following the goalless draw against Vllaznia,{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/30/albania/super-league/kf-tirana/ks-vllaznia-shkoder/2342613/|title=Tirana vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 0 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=30 October 2016|access-date=4 January 2017}} Daja was released from his contract by club president Refik Halili.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/zyrtare-ilir-daja-largohet-nga-tirana/|title=Zyrtare, Ilir Daja largohet nga Tirana|publisher=Super Sport Albania|language=sq|date=1 November 2016|access-date=4 January 2017}}
=Skënderbeu=
On 3 January 2017, Daja was hired as the new coach of Skënderbeu hours after the departure of Andrea Agostinelli, who was released from the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.lapsi.al/sport/2017/01/03/zyrtare-ilir-daja-merr-sk%C3%ABnderbeun#.WG1pWdIrLcs|title=Zyrtare/ Ilir Daja merr Skënderbeun|publisher=Lapsi.al|language=sq|date=3 January 2017|access-date=4 January 2017}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was introduced the next day, declaring that if the team didn't win the league, it would be a big failure.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/prezantohet-daja-quhet-deshtim-nese-nuk-shpallemi-kampione/|title=Prezantohet Daja: Quhet dështim nëse nuk shpallemi kampionë|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=4 January 2017|access-date=4 January 2017}}
In the summer of 2017, Daja guided the team in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds, being the mastermind as Skënderbeu achieved group stage for the second time ever and also become the first Albanian club to pass four rounds.{{cite news|url=https://www.cna.al/2017/08/24/skenderbeu-shkruan-historine-kalon-4-ture-me-rekord-dhe-rikthehet-ne-europa-league/|title=Skënderbeu shkruan historinë / Kalon 4 ture me rekord dhe rikthehet në Europa League!|trans-title=Skënderbeu writes history / Passes 4 round with record and returns to Europa League|publisher=City News|language=sq|date=24 August 2017|access-date=26 August 2017}} They easily won in the first qualifying round versus amateur side Sant Julià, progressing to the next round 6–0 on aggregate.{{cite news|url=http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2017/07/06/skenderbeu-kualifikohet-ne-raundin-e-dyte-te-e-league/|title=Skënderbeu kualifikohet në raundin e dytë të E. League|trans-title=Skënderbeu qualifies to the E. League second round|newspaper=Gazeta Shqip|language=sq|date=6 July 2017|access-date=26 August 2017}} In the second round, Skënderbeu managed a 1–1 draw versus Kairat at Almaty Central Stadium for the first leg; despite being down in the first ten minutes after a Gerard Gohou, the team pushed for an equalizer and got it thanks to a Bakary Nimaga tap-in.{{cite web|url=http://www.kfskenderbeu.al/super-skenderbe-barazim-1-1-ndaj-kairat/|title=Super Skënderbe, barazim 1-1 ndaj Kairat|trans-title=Super Skënderbeu, a 1-1 draw against Kairat|publisher=KFSkenderbeu.al|language=sq|date=13 July 2017|access-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817003216/http://www.kfskenderbeu.al/super-skenderbe-barazim-1-1-ndaj-kairat/|archive-date=17 August 2017|url-status=dead}} In the second leg, Daja's team won 2–0 to progress to next round 3–1 on aggregate; his decision to play Sebino Plaku for James Adeniyi resulted a success as the striker scored the second goal with a lob.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-3/|title=Skënderbeu avancon në raundin e 3 të E. League|trans-title=Skënderbeu advances to the E. League third round|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|date=20 July 2017|access-date=26 August 2017|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826153120/http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-3/|archive-date=26 August 2017}}
In the first match of third round versus Mladá Boleslav, Skënderbeu lost 2–1 after a late goal scored by the opposition, only one minute after Skënderbeu's equalizer.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2021899--mlada-boleslav-vs-skenderbeu/|title=Mladá Boleslav 2-1 Skënderbeu|publisher=UEFA|date=27 July 2017|access-date=4 August 2017}} In the second match, Daja's side won with the same score, which led the match to penalty shootouts where his side was more precise as they won 4–2 to reach the play-off for the third time in history.{{cite web|url=http://supersport.al/skenderbeu-europian-eliminon-mladen/|title=Skënderbeu europian eliminon Mladën|trans-title=European Skënderbeu eliminates Mladá|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|author=Andi Deçka|date=3 August 2017|access-date=4 August 2017}} In the play-off round, the team played Dinamo Zagreb;{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/shorti-i-e-league-skenderbeu-perball-dinamo-zagreb/|title=Skenderbeu përballë Dinamo Zagreb|trans-title=Skenderbeu versus Dinamo Zagreb|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|author=Rinald Bregasi|date=4 August 2017|access-date=4 August 2017}} they earned a 1–1 draw at Stadion Maksimir despite being on lead until the injury time,{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-flirton-me-fitoren-ne-zagreb/|title=Skënderbeu "flirton" me fitoren në Zagreb|trans-title=Skënderbeu "flirts" with the win in Zagreb|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|author=Elvis Rexha|date=17 August 2017|access-date=17 August 2017}} before holding on to a goalless draw in the returning leg to group stage on away goal rule.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-heroik-dinamo-fiket-ne-elbasan-arena/|title=Skënderbeu heroik, Dinamo fiket në "Elbasan Arena"|trans-title=Skënderbeu heroic, Dinamo turned off in "Elbasan Arena"|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|author=Andi Deçka|date=24 August 2017|access-date=24 August 2017}}
On 9 May 2018, Skënderbeu was confirmed as Kategoria Superiore champion following a 4–2 win at Lushnja and Kukësi's 3–2 away defeat to Teuta.{{cite web|url=http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2018/05/09/skenderbeu-zyrtarisht-kampion-festa-korcare-nis-3-jave-nga-fundi/|title=Skënderbeu zyrtarisht kampion, festa korçare nis 3 javë nga fundi|trans-title=Skënderbeu officially champion, Korça celebration starts 3 weeks from the end|newspaper=Gazeta Shqip|language=sq|date=9 May 2018|access-date=29 May 2018}} Later on 27 May, he led to team to the Albanian Cup success, by defeating 1–0 Laçi in the final for their first ever Albanian Cup title.{{cite web|url=http://fshf.org/sq/skenderbeu-eshte-fituesi-kupes-se-shqiperise-sezoni-2017-2018/|title=Skëndërbeu është fituesi i Kupës së Shqipërisë 2018|trans-title=Skënderbeu is the winner of 2018 Albanian Cup|publisher=FSHF.org|language=sq|date=27 May 2018|access-date=28 May 2018}} Skënderbeu thus completed the domestic double for the first time in history.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/zyrtare-skenderbeu-shpallet-kampion-i-kategorise-superiore-per-sezonin-2017-2018/|title=ZYRTARE/ Skënderbeu shpallet kampion i Kategorisë Superiore për sezonin 2017-2018|trans-title=OFFICIAL/ Skënderbeu named champion of Albanian Superliga for 2017-18 season|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=9 May 2018|access-date=28 May 2018}} Daja also become the first manager since Sulejman Mema in 1999 to achieve this feat.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/daja-nuk-eshte-i-vetmi-edhe-nje-trajner-tjeter-ka-fituar-dopieten-ne-nje-sezon/|title=Daja nuk është i vetmi, edhe një trajner tjetër ka fituar dopietën në një sezon|trans-title=Daja is not the only, here's another coach that has won the double in a season|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=27 May 2018|access-date=29 May 2018}}
On 19 June 2018, after Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld UEFA's decision to exclude Skënderbeu from UEFA competitions for the next 10 years, Daja announced his departure from the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazetadita.al/ilir-daja-braktis-skenderbeun-pas-denimit-nga-uefa-merr-drejtimin-e-flamurtarit/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622004925/http://www.gazetadita.al/ilir-daja-braktis-skenderbeun-pas-denimit-nga-uefa-merr-drejtimin-e-flamurtarit/|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2018|title=Ilir Daja braktis Skënderbeun pas dënimit nga UEFA, merr drejtimin e Flamurtarit|trans-title=Ilir Daja abandon Skënderbeu after the punishment from UEFA, takes charge of Flamurtari|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=19 June 2018|access-date=21 June 2018}}
=Ballkani=
Daja was appointed as manager of Kosovo Superleague club FC Ballkani on 5 January 2022. He won three league titles, one Kosovar Cup and one Kosovar Supercup in his three seasons in the club. He also guided the team to the group stage of UEFA Conference League in 2022-23 and 2023-24. In doing so, Ballkani became the first team from Kosovo to qualify for the final stage of a UEFA club competition. Daja resigned from his post on 2 September 2024 after the team failed to qualify for a European competition for the third time in a row. His last game was a league defeat against KF Malisheva away.{{cite web|url=https://reporteri.net/sport/ilir-daja-largohet-perfundimisht-nga-ballkani/|title=Ilir Daja largohet përfundimisht nga Ballkani|publisher=Reporteri.net|language=sq|date=2 September 2024|access-date=30 September 2024}}
=Dinamo City=
On 11 September 2024, Daja was appointed as new manager of FC Dinamo City, the club formerly known as Dinamo Tirana. He had previously played for the club and had also been their manager in two different spells. When he took over, Dinamo had played three games in the 2024-25 Kategoria Superiore, winning one and losing two. His first game was a 2-2 away draw in a local derby against his former club FK Partizani Tirana on 12 September 2024.{{cite web|url=https://pamfleti.net/english/sport/dinamo-e-ilir-dajes-kocke-e-forte-per-partizanin-derbi-kryeqytetas-mbyllet-i243745|title=Ilir Daja's Dinamo is a strong "bone" for Partizan, the capital city derby ends in a draw|publisher=Pamfleti|language=en|date=12 September 2024|access-date=30 September 2024}}
Managerial statistics
{{updated|24 April 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |
| rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="6"|Record |
|---|
| {{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}} !{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |
| Tirana
|28 October 2015 |1 November 2016 {{WDL|37|16|14|7}} |
| Skënderbeu
|3 January 2017 |19 June 2018 {{WDL|79|47|16|16}} |
| Flamurtari
|19 June 2018 |30 June 2019 {{WDL|40|18|9|13}} |
| Skënderbeu
|8 August 2019 |9 August 2020 {{WDL|41|20|8|13}} |
| Partizani
|10 August 2020 |27 December 2021 {{WDL|61|29|19|13}} |
| Ballkani
|5 January 2022 |2 September 2024 {{WDL|135|81|28|26}} |
| Dinamo City
|11 September 2024 |Present {{WDL|37|16|14|7}} |
| colspan="3"|Total
{{WDLtot|430|227|108|95}} |— |
Honours
=Player=
=Manager=
Elbasani
Dinamo Tirana
Skënderbeu
Ballkani
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway coach|ilir-daja/169142}}
{{FC Ballkani squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Ilir Daja managerial positions
|list1=
{{FK Dinamo Tirana managers}}
{{KF Tirana managers}}
{{KF Skënderbeu Korçë managers}}
{{Flamurtari Vlorë managers}}
{{FK Partizani Tirana managers}}
}}
{{Football Superleague of Kosovo winning managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daja, Ilir}}
Category:Footballers from Tirana
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:FC Dinamo City players
Category:Albanian football managers
Category:FC Dinamo City managers
Category:KF Besa Kavajë managers
Category:KF Skënderbeu Korçë managers
Category:Flamurtari FC managers
Category:Kategoria Superiore players
Category:Kategoria Superiore managers
Category:20th-century Albanian sportsmen
Category:Albanian expatriate football managers