Milovan Minja Prelević — Montenegrin football coach and player

Playing career

Prelević began his football journey in Podgorica, breaking through at FK Kom and later representing several clubs in the region. His playing career included spells with FK Crvena Stijena, FK Budućnost, OFK Belgrade and FK Obilić. He also featured at youth international level for Montenegrin selections, gaining experience that would inform his later work with younger players. Prelević ended his time as an active player relatively early and moved into coaching full time.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Prelević pursued coaching and took roles across Montenegro and abroad. He worked with top-flight and lower-division clubs as well as national youth teams. His appointments included:

• FK Budućnost (initial coaching roles)
• OFK Petrovac
• FK Kom
• FK Mladost
• Montenegro U-19 national team (youth coaching)
• Hajer FC (a coaching stint abroad)
• OFK Belgrade (as a player earlier in his career)

He held the UEFA Pro license, the highest coaching qualification issued by UEFA, and combined practical team management with roles in coach education.

Approach, impact and legacy

Prelević was regarded as a coach focused on tactical organization and youth development. Colleagues and players noted his emphasis on structured training, preparation and the educational side of coaching. As a lecturer at Montenegro's UEFA school of coaches, he contributed to the development of new generations of coaches by sharing methods and standards in line with UEFA coaching curricula.

Notable facts

• Transitioned from playing to coaching at a comparatively young age and built a career centered on coaching education and youth work.
• Gained experience both in domestic Montenegrin football and abroad.
• Served as a lecturer at the national UEFA coaching school, reflecting a commitment to coach development beyond club duties.

Milovan Minja Prelević was found dead in his apartment on 1 August 2019 at the age of 49. His passing was widely reported in regional sports media, and he is remembered in Montenegro for his contributions as both a coach and an educator in football.