Veljko Paunović
Paunović in 2014 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Veljko Paunović | ||
Date of birth | 21 August 1977 | ||
Place of birth | Strumica, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Playing position | Midfielder / Striker | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Chicago Fire (head coach) | ||
Youth career | |||
1983–1994 | Partizan | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1994–1995 | Partizan | 13 | (1) |
1995–1996 | Marbella | 20 | (2) |
1996–1998 | Atlético Madrid B | 22 | (11) |
1996–2002 | Atlético Madrid | 52 | (9) |
1998–1999 | → Mallorca (loan) | 24 | (5) |
2001 | → Oviedo (loan) | 22 | (4) |
2001–2002 | → Mallorca (loan) | 33 | (3) |
2002–2003 | Tenerife | 38 | (18) |
2003–2005 | Atlético Madrid | 35 | (6) |
2005 | Hannover 96 | 6 | (0) |
2005–2007 | Getafe | 44 | (10) |
2007 | Rubin Kazan | 16 | (1) |
2008 | Almería | 7 | (2) |
2008 | Partizan | 9 | (1) |
2011 | Philadelphia Union | 17 | (3) |
Total | 358 | (76) | |
National team | |||
2002–2004 | Serbia and Montenegro | 2 | (1) |
Teams managed | |||
2012–2014 | Serbia U18 | ||
2013–2014 | Serbia U19 | ||
2014–2015 | Serbia U20 | ||
2015– | Chicago Fire | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Veljko Paunović (Serbian Cyrillic: Вељко Пауновић, pronounced [ʋěːʎko paǔ:noʋitɕ]; born 21 August 1977) is a retired Serbian footballer, and is the head coach of American club Chicago Fire Soccer Club.
A versatile attacking unit, he could operate as an attacking midfielder or a striker, and spent most of his professional career in Spain where he represented almost ten clubs,[1] amassing La Liga totals of 212 matches and 38 goals over 11 seasons and having several spells with Atlético Madrid.
Other than in his own country, Paunović also played professionally in Germany, Russia and the United States.
Playing career
Club
Born in Strumica, Macedonia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Paunović made his professional debut at only 17 with FK Partizan. The following summer he moved to Spain, where he would stay for most of the following decade playing for a host of clubs,[2] starting in the 1995–96 season with modest CA Marbella and reaching the 1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final with RCD Mallorca (with whom he scored five league goals in that campaign, to help the Balearic Islands team finish third),[3][4] as well as having three separate stints with Atlético Madrid.[5]
Paunović had his best year in 2002–03 with CD Tenerife in Segunda División, netting 18 times in 38 appearances although the insular side could only rank eighth. After a return to Atlético and a brief stay in Germany with Hannover 96, he joined Getafe CF for 2005–06's top flight,[6] enjoying his finest season in La Liga by scoring ten goals in 30 league matches to help the Madrid outskirts club to the ninth place; due to the years spent in the country, he received a Spanish passport in 2006.[7]
Paunović was signed by Russian Premier League's FC Rubin Kazan in March 2007, after falling out of favour with Getafe coach Bernd Schuster. The following year, he agreed a two and a half year deal with UD Almería in January.[7] His debut was a sour one, playing 20 minutes off the bench against Racing de Santander in a 0–1 away defeat, while also receiving two yellow cards in one minute (with the consequent dismissal);[8] he would score on two occasions towards the season's end, in a 2–4 away defeat against former team Getafe[9] and in the last matchday, a 3–1 success at RCD Espanyol.[10]
On 12 July 2008, it was announced that Paunović signed a two-year deal with his former club Partizan. On 13 August he scored in a 2–2 draw with Turkey's Fenerbahçe SK, in a UEFA Champions League qualifying round.[11] On 24 December however, he announced his decision to retire from the game.
On 29 June 2009, Paunović went on trial with the New York Red Bulls, but eventually turned down the one-year contract offer.[12] In June 2011, after nearly three years out of football, the 33-year-old signed a deal with another North American club, Philadelphia Union, after a trial stint.[13] He scored his first goal with his new team late in the month, in a 3–2 win against Chivas USA.[14]
On 19 January 2012, Paunović officially announced his retirement for the second time.[15]
International
Paunović made his debut for Serbia and Montenegro in a 2–1 friendly win with Mexico, on 13 February 2002. His last cap came two years later against Northern Ireland, on another exhibition match, and he scored in the 1–1 draw in Belfast.[16]
Coaching career
Paunović began working as a manager with the Serbian national team, being of charge of their under-18, under-19 and under-20 sides. While with the latter, he won the 2015 FIFA World Cup.[17]
On 24 November 2015, Paunović was appointed head coach of Chicago Fire Soccer Club.[18]
Personal life
Paunović's father, Blagoje, was also a footballer. A defender, he too played for Partizan and represented Yugoslavia at UEFA Euro 1968, later embarking in a managerial career.
Paunović is married and has four children. He is fluent in Serbian, Spanish, Macedonian and English.[19]
Career statistics
Club
Club performance | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
Serbia | League | Serbian Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
1994–95 | Partizan | Serbian SuperLiga | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
Spain | League | Copa del Rey | Europe | Total | ||||||
1995–96 | Marbella | Segunda División | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
1996–97 | Atlético Madrid B | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |
1996–97 | Atlético Madrid | La Liga | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
1997–98 | Atlético Madrid B | Segunda División | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 8 |
1997–98 | Atlético Madrid | La Liga | 14 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 6 |
1998–99 | Mallorca | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 30 | 6 | |
1999-00 | Atlético Madrid | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 3 | |
2000–01 | Atlético Madrid | Segunda División | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
2000–01 | Oviedo | La Liga | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 4 |
2001–02 | Mallorca | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 41 | 3 | |
2002–03 | Tenerife | Segunda División | 38 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 18 |
2003–04 | Atlético Madrid | La Liga | 25 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 7 |
2004–05 | Atlético Madrid | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 2 | |
Germany | League | DFB-Pokal | Europe | Total | ||||||
2004–05 | Hannover | Bundesliga | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Spain | League | Copa del Rey | Europe | Total | ||||||
2005–06 | Getafe | La Liga | 30 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 13 |
2006–07 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
Russia | League | Russian Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
2007 | Rubin Kazan | Russian Premier League | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
Spain | League | Copa del Rey | Europe | Total | ||||||
2007–08 | Almería | La Liga | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
Serbia | League | Serbian Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
2008–09 | Partizan | Serbian SuperLiga | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 2 |
USA | League | Open Cup | North America | Total | ||||||
2011 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 |
Total | Spain | 297 | 70 | 12 | 5 | 24 | 4 | 333 | 79 | |
Germany | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
Russia | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||
Serbia | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 30 | 3 | ||
USA | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 | ||
Career total | 358 | 76 | 15 | 6 | 32 | 5 | 405 | 87 |
International goals
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 28 April 2004 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 0–1 | 1–1 | Friendly[16] |
Managerial statistics
Team | From | To | Record | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
Chicago Fire | November 24, 2015 | Present | 100 | 31 | 25 | 44 | 31.00 |
Honours
Manager
Serbia
References
- ↑ Vujcic, Djuradj (29 March 2012). "Inside the MLS: Veljko Paunovic". Red Nation Online. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ "Paunovic poised for Getafe switch". UEFA. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "El Mallorca pierde con orgullo" [Mallorca lose proudly]. El País (in Spanish). 20 May 1999. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ↑ "Paunovic: "Cumplí varios sueños en el Mallorca, y estaré agradecido eternamente"" [Paunovic: "I fulfilled several dreams with Mallorca, and I'll thank them forever"] (in Spanish). RCDM. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Atlético and Paunovic part company". UEFA. 24 January 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "El Getafe de Schuster es reforça amb el davanter serbi Veljko Paunovic" [Schuster's Getafe bolster with Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic] (in Catalan). Televisió de Catalunya. 18 July 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- 1 2 "Paunovic ficha por el Almería" [Paunovic signs for Almería]. El Día (in Spanish). 19 January 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ "Paunovic: "Es muy indignante que esto suceda en el fútbol español"" [Paunovic: "It's outrageous this can happen in Spanish football"]. Ideal (in Spanish). 25 February 2008. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Getafe 4–2 Almeria". ESPN Soccernet. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Espanyol 1–3 Almeria". ESPN Soccernet. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Fenerbahçe fightback foils Partizan". UEFA. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ Lewis, Michael (22 July 2009). "Red Bulls eyeing Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic". NY Daily News. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Union sign Serbian forward Veljko Paunović". Philadelphia Union. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Philadelphia Union 3–2 Chivas USA: Philly extend home unbeaten run with spirited comeback". Goal. 26 June 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ "Union's Paunović announces decision to retire". Philadelphia Union. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- 1 2 "NI 1–1 Serbia & Montenegro". BBC Sport. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- 1 2 Sasa Ibrulj (20 June 2015). "Veljko Paunovic: The man behind Serbia's under-20 World Cup glory". ESPN. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ "Chicago Fire Soccer Club hires Veljko Paunovic as head coach". Chicago Fire. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ↑ "Paunovićev poker" [Paunović poker] (in Serbian). Mozzart Sport. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ↑ Veljko Paunović at BDFutbol
- ↑ "Veljko Paunovic". Worldfootball. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ "Veljko Paunovic". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
- ↑ "Veljko Paunovic | Managers". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
External links
- Veljko Paunović at BDFutbol
- El Mundo stats (in Spanish)
- Veljko Paunović at Major League Soccer
- Veljko Paunović at Reprezentacija.rs (in Serbian)
- Veljko Paunović at National-Football-Teams.com