The man who led Croatia to third place in the 1998 World Cup dies at the age of 88
The football managing legend Miroslav Blazevoic dies at the age of 88, leading to many tributes from all over the world.
‘Coach of all coaches’ Blazevic dies
A coaching legend who worked for nearly 47 years up until his retirement in 2015, has passed. Among his greatest honor, by his own account, is Dinamo Zagreb’s first title in 24 years in 1982. He also won trophies with 5 other clubs as well.
The footballing world although, remembers Blazevic from the 1998 World Cup where he took Croatia to third place in their first World Cup ever.
Croatia’s Football Federation (HNS) released a statement just two days before what would’ve been his 88th birthday, which read: “HNS would like to express the deepest condolences to his loved ones, on behalf of the entire Croatian football family, which lost the ‘coach of all coaches’.”
Blazevic also managed Switzerland, Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and China’s Under-23s in his long tenure as a national team coach.
“He is the father of modern Croatian football“
UEFA president was among those giving tribute to Blazevic, whose untimely death was mainly because of prostate cancer.
“He is the father of modern Croatian football, and one of our game’s greatest coaches,” Ceferin said. “His legacy goes beyond any trophy or victory, of which there were many.
“His success on the field earned him a place in football history, and his authenticity, charisma and unique sense of humour established for him the cult status that only true legends of the game deserve.”
