Radomir Antic (2003)

Radomir Antic was born in Zitiste (Serbia) on 22nd November 1948. He joined FC Barcelona in January 2003 to take over from Louis van Gaal.

Caretaker manager, Jesus Antonio de la Cruz, took temporary charge of team affairs until Antic took the reins with the team in 15th position in the Spanish League and well placed in the second phase of the Champions League. Like many other coaches, Radomir Antic was a player before he took up management. He started his playing career with Sloboda Tyzla of Yugoslavia (1967-1968) and then moved to the club where he would play most seasons, Partizan Belgrade (1968-1976). As coincidence would have it, Barça basketball coach Svetislav Pesic was playing in the Partizan basketball team at the same time.

In the 1976 season he signed for Turkish club Fenerbahce (1976-1977) before moving to the Spanish League where he played for Zaragoza (1977-1979). He later moved on to Luton Town in England where he played for 5 seasons (1979-1984).

He started his management career with Partizan Belgrade (1985-88) and continued with Spanish clubs Real Zaragoza (1988-1991), Real Madrid (1991-1992) and Real Oviedo. His most successful period to date was with Atletico de Madrid (1995-98). He won the League and Cup double in a 1995-96 season full of good football. He later returned to both Atletico de Madrid (1999 and 2000) and to Real Oviedo (2000-2001).