Safet Sušic
Encyclopedia
Safet "Pape" Sušić is a Bosnian
former footballer
and current manager of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
. In his playing days, he operated as playmaking
attacking midfielder. In 2010, he was voted PSG's best player of all time by French sport magazine France Football
's readers.
, where he was to become a legendary figure by the late 1970s. During the 1979–80 season, he was top scorer in the Yugoslavian league
with 17 goals. In 1979, he was honoured as the best football player in Yugoslavia, also being selected as the best athlete hailing from the republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
In 1982, Sušić signed with French
outfit of Paris Saint-Germain, where he became a star on the European
stage. Hardly ever injured, he performed at a high level well past his 30s. The Yugoslav international was never injured nor suspended, thus allowing him to score 85 goals and make a record 61 assists for PSG between 1982 and 1991. On 22 September 1984, in a 7–1 home drubbing of Bastia
, he assisted
on five of the side's goals. At 36, Sušić left the capital
for a final year with Red Star Saint-Ouen
.
During a 13-year span, Sušić appeared 54 times with the Yugoslav national team
, netting 21 goals, in spite of the fact that he was always in the role of midfield playmaker. He represented the nation at the 1982
and 1990 World Cups
, and at Euro 1984. On 19 June 1990, Sušić opened the score in Yugoslavia's 4–1 World Cup win against the United Arab Emirates
, aged 35.
In 2004, to celebrate UEFA
's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player
of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
"If you were to rank Safet Sušić with the all-time greats, you would have to put him in at least the top 40," German
Gerd Müller
(one of the greatest goal scorers in history) said.
Footballer Darko Pančev
declared:
On 5 February 2010, France Football
choose Sušić as the best player in the history of Paris Saint-Germain, ahead of players such as Carlos Bianchi
, Mustapha Dahleb
, Ronaldinho, George Weah
, Joël Bats
, Raí
and Luis Fernández
.
, also in France, where he retired as a player, briefly in 1994–95. Between 1997–1999, he managed İstanbulspor, returning to that country
during 2003–04, with Konyaspor
, and in the first half of 2006–07, taking charge of Çaykur Rizespor
(12 matches).
After he was sacked by Rizespor, another Turkish side, in February 2008, Sušić was hired by Ankaraspor in March.
On 28 December 2009, Sušić was named coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
. His debut was a friendly match against Ghana
in Sarajevo
. Bosnia and Herzegovina won the game 2:1 after goals from Vedad Ibišević
and Miralem Pjanić
. After only 2 wins in Sušić's 6 first matches in charge of the national team, including an important 2:0 loss to France in the qualification for Euro 2012, Sušić came under a lot of criticism from several journalists and columnists who called for his head.
Sušić recorded a 1:1 draw with France
during a second game in Paris
and ensured Bosnia qualified for their second consecutive qualification play-off birth for EURO 2012 to be played against Portugal
in November.
As at 11th October 2011, Sušić's Bosnia national football side is on a six game unbeaten run.
, a former footballer, is his older brother. His nephew, Tino Sušić, is also a footballer.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
former footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and current manager of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. In his playing days, he operated as playmaking
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
attacking midfielder. In 2010, he was voted PSG's best player of all time by French sport magazine France Football
France Football
France Football is a French bi-weekly magazine containing football news from all over the world. It's one of the most reputable sports publications in Europe, mostly because of their photographic reports and accurate statistics of the big European Cup matches, and extensive coverage of the European...
's readers.
Playing career
Sušić bigan his career with the football club Krivaja in his hometown Zavidovići. In 1973, he was transferred to FK SarajevoFK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League...
, where he was to become a legendary figure by the late 1970s. During the 1979–80 season, he was top scorer in the Yugoslavian league
Yugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
with 17 goals. In 1979, he was honoured as the best football player in Yugoslavia, also being selected as the best athlete hailing from the republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
.
In 1982, Sušić signed with French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
outfit of Paris Saint-Germain, where he became a star on the European
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
stage. Hardly ever injured, he performed at a high level well past his 30s. The Yugoslav international was never injured nor suspended, thus allowing him to score 85 goals and make a record 61 assists for PSG between 1982 and 1991. On 22 September 1984, in a 7–1 home drubbing of Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
, he assisted
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
on five of the side's goals. At 36, Sušić left the capital
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
for a final year with Red Star Saint-Ouen
Red Star Saint-Ouen
Red Star Football Club 93 is a French association football club based in Saint-Ouen located in the northern suburbs of Paris. The club was founded in 1897 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football...
.
During a 13-year span, Sušić appeared 54 times with the Yugoslav national team
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
, netting 21 goals, in spite of the fact that he was always in the role of midfield playmaker. He represented the nation at the 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
and 1990 World Cups
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, and at Euro 1984. On 19 June 1990, Sušić opened the score in Yugoslavia's 4–1 World Cup win against the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates national football team
The United Arab Emirates national football team represents United Arab Emirates in association football and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association, the governing body for football in United Arab Emirates...
, aged 35.
In 2004, to celebrate UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player
UEFA Jubilee Awards
To celebrate the Union of European Football Associations 's 50th anniversary in 2004, each of its member associations was asked by UEFA to choose one of its own players as the single most outstanding player of the past 50 years . The 52 players were known as the Golden Players...
of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |football]] in Bosnia and Herzegovina based in Sarajevo.It operates the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national under-21 football team, Bosnia and Herzegovina...
as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
"If you were to rank Safet Sušić with the all-time greats, you would have to put him in at least the top 40," German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the...
(one of the greatest goal scorers in history) said.
Footballer Darko Pančev
Darko Pancev
Darko Pančev is a retired Yugoslav and Macedonian footballer, and winner of the Golden Boot award in 1991.-Club career:Pančev was the highest scorer in top-division European football in the 1990–91 season with 34 goals, and should have won the European Golden Boot award...
declared:
On 5 February 2010, France Football
France Football
France Football is a French bi-weekly magazine containing football news from all over the world. It's one of the most reputable sports publications in Europe, mostly because of their photographic reports and accurate statistics of the big European Cup matches, and extensive coverage of the European...
choose Sušić as the best player in the history of Paris Saint-Germain, ahead of players such as Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Bianchi
Carlos Arcecio Bianchi , popularly known as El Virrey , is a prolific Argentine football forward turned manager...
, Mustapha Dahleb
Mustapha Dahleb
Mustapha Dahleb is a retired Algerian footballer. He was a talented player for Paris SG and the Algeria national football team.-Career:...
, Ronaldinho, George Weah
George Weah
George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah is a Liberian humanitarian and politician, and an ex-footballer. He ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting...
, Joël Bats
Joël Bats
Joël Bats is a retired goalkeeper and French international footballer.-Goalkeeper:Bats began his professional career with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in 1974, moving on to newly promoted AJ Auxerre the following year...
, Raí
Raí
Raí, full name Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira is a former Brazilian football midfielder. He was part of the Brazil team which won 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also played for São Paulo FC when he had the most glorious time of his career, and Paris Saint-Germain, two clubs for which he has achieved...
and Luis Fernández
Luis Fernández
Luis Fernández is a Spanish-French footballer who played as a defender / midfielder. He retired as a player in 1993 to become a manager....
.
Coaching career
Sušić coached CannesAS Cannes
Association Sportive de Cannes Football is a French association football club based in Cannes. The club was formed 1902 as a sports club and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth division of French football. Cannes plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin...
, also in France, where he retired as a player, briefly in 1994–95. Between 1997–1999, he managed İstanbulspor, returning to that country
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
during 2003–04, with Konyaspor
Konyaspor
Konyaspor is a professional Turkish football club based in Konya. Konyaspor currently play in the Süper Lig. The club was founded in 1922 but then reformed in 1981. The club colours are green and white and they play their home games at Konya Atatürk Stadium....
, and in the first half of 2006–07, taking charge of Çaykur Rizespor
Çaykur Rizespor
Çaykur Rizespor is a Turkish sports club based in Rize. Çaykur Rizespor is currently playing in the TFF First League. The club was founded in 1953 in green-yellow colours and had professionalship status in 1968 as Rizespor and changed its colours to blue-green...
(12 matches).
After he was sacked by Rizespor, another Turkish side, in February 2008, Sušić was hired by Ankaraspor in March.
On 28 December 2009, Sušić was named coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. His debut was a friendly match against Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
. Bosnia and Herzegovina won the game 2:1 after goals from Vedad Ibišević
Vedad Ibiševic
Vedad Ibišević is a Bosnian footballer playing as striker for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga and the Bosnian national team. He has also played in Switzerland, the USA and France...
and Miralem Pjanić
Miralem Pjanic
Miralem Pjanić is a Bosnian football player who plays for Italian club Roma in Serie A. He plays as an attacking midfielder and has been described as an "old-fashioned playmaker with huge technical qualities"....
. After only 2 wins in Sušić's 6 first matches in charge of the national team, including an important 2:0 loss to France in the qualification for Euro 2012, Sušić came under a lot of criticism from several journalists and columnists who called for his head.
Sušić recorded a 1:1 draw with France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
during a second game in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and ensured Bosnia qualified for their second consecutive qualification play-off birth for EURO 2012 to be played against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
in November.
As at 11th October 2011, Sušić's Bosnia national football side is on a six game unbeaten run.
Team
- FK SarajevoFK SarajevoFK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League...
:- Yugoslav LeagueYugoslav First LeagueThe Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
: Runner-up 1979-80
- Yugoslav League
- Paris Saint-Germain:
- French LeagueLigue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1985–86French football Division 1 1985-86The 1985-86 Division 1 season was the 48th since its establishment. Paris Saint-Germain became champions for the first time in their history with 56 points. During this season the "Boulogne Boys" and "Gavroche" emerged. They were groups of supporters located in the Kop of Boulogne a stand in the...
; runner-up 1988–89French football Division 1 1988-89Olympique de Marseille won Division 1 season 1988/1989 of the French Association Football League with 73 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:... - French CupCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
: 1982–83Coupe de France 1982-83The Coupe de France1982-1983 was its 66th edition. It was won by Paris SG which defeated FC Nantes in the Final.-Round of 16:The Coupe de France1982-1983 was its 66th edition. It was won by Paris SG which defeated FC Nantes in the Final....
; runner-up 1984–85Coupe de France 1984-85The Coupe de France1984-1985 was its 68th edition. It was won by AS Monaco FC which defeated Paris SG in the Final.-Round of 16:-Quarter-finals:-Semi-finals:First round----Second round-Final:-References:*...
- French League
Individual
- FK SarajevoFK SarajevoFK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League...
:- Yugoslav LeagueYugoslav First LeagueThe Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
: Top scorer/best player, 1979–80
- Yugoslav League
- Paris Saint-Germain:
- French LeagueLigue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: Best foreign player, 1982–83French football Division 1 1982-83FC Nantes won Division 1 season 1982/1983 of the French Association Football League with 58 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:...
- French League
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Player of the 20th Century (2004)
- Best Player in the history of Paris Saint-Germain - in the selection of France FootballFrance FootballFrance Football is a French bi-weekly magazine containing football news from all over the world. It's one of the most reputable sports publications in Europe, mostly because of their photographic reports and accurate statistics of the big European Cup matches, and extensive coverage of the European...
on 5. February 2010
Personal life
Sead SušićSead Sušic
Sead Sušić is a retired Bosnia and Herzegovina football player who played most notably for Red Star Belgrade and Yugoslavia.-Club career:...
, a former footballer, is his older brother. His nephew, Tino Sušić, is also a footballer.