Overview

Vladimir "Vladica" Popović (17 March 1935 – 10 August 2020) was a Serbian-born football player and coach whose career spanned several decades. His name is often given in Serbian Cyrillic; see the Cyrillic spelling. He is remembered both for his time on the pitch and for a long managerial career that included one of the sport's most prestigious club trophies.

Playing career

Popović began his career in the domestic leagues of the former Yugoslavia and became widely known as a professional footballer, typically deployed in midfield roles. He spent the most prominent portion of his playing years with Red Star Belgrade, establishing himself at club level, and represented the national side over nearly a decade. He appeared for the Yugoslavia national team from 1956 to 1965 and contributed to his teams with experience and tactical understanding.

Managerial career and achievements

After retiring as a player Popović moved into coaching and management. He worked with clubs in several countries and built a reputation as a pragmatic, disciplined coach. The pinnacle of his managerial honors was guiding Red Star Belgrade to victory in the 1991 Intercontinental Cup, a match that crowned the top club side in the world that year. That triumph remains one of his most widely cited achievements.

Style and legacy

Colleagues and observers described Popović as a thoughtful student of the game who applied tactical rigour to both playing and coaching. He is often cited in histories of Yugoslav and Serbian football for his dual contribution as an accomplished player and as a manager who achieved success at international club level. His career influenced players and coaches in the region and abroad.

Death and notable facts

Popović died in Belgrade on 10 August 2020 at the age of 85. He is remembered in Serbia and among former Yugoslav football circles for his longevity in the sport and for high-profile successes. Additional context on his life and career can be found through dedicated biographies and club histories.

For further reading on his playing records, managerial appointments, and honours consult club archives and national team records or sport-focused biographies and databases linked in specialist resources: see examples of source collections and language-specific entries via the Cyrillic spelling and other archival entries.

Note: this summary provides a concise portrait of Vladica Popović's public career; more detailed statistics and seasonal records are available through dedicated sports archives and club histories.