Miljanic dies, aged 81

Former Real Madrid and Yugoslavia coach Miljan Miljanic has died aged 81 after losing his battle with cancer on Friday.

Miljanic enjoyed a hugely successful career in the dugout, making his name at Red Star Belgrade by winning four league championships and three domestic cups between 1966 and 1974, before moving onto his best-known spells in charge of Yugoslavia and Real Madrid.

It was at the Santiago Bernabeu where he won back-to-back La Liga titles in 1975 and 1976, including a domestic double in his first year – an achievement acknowledged by the club, who posted a message of condolence on their official website.

“Real Madrid wishes to express its deepest condolences to his family,” read a statement.

“Miljanic left a great impression at the club both professionally and personally.”

Miljanic also lead the Yugoslav nation to the 1974 and 1982 World Cups, before drawing his coaching career to a close with a season at Valencia in 1982-83.

He then became the president of the Football Association of Yugoslavia, where he oversaw the development of a new generation of Yugoslav coaches, including one-time Croatia boss Miroslav Blazevic and former Yugoslavia and Japan coach Ivica Osim.