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{{Short description|Serbian footballer (born 1954)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Dragan Okuka
| name = Dragan Okuka
| image =
| image =
| fullname = Dragomir Okuka
| fullname = Dragomir Okuka
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|4|2}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|4|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Porija]], [[Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia|FPR Yugoslavia]]
| birth_place = [[Porija]], [[Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina|PR Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|FPR Yugoslavia]]
| position = [[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]] (Retired)
| position = [[Midfielder]]
|currentclub = [[Changchun Yatai]] (head coach)
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 1974-1976
| years1 = 1971–1974
| years2 = 1976-1977
| years2 = 1974–1985
| years3 = 1977-1985
| years3 = 1977–1978
| years4 = 1985-1987
| years4 = 1985–1987
| years5 = 1987-1989
| years5 = 1987–1989
| clubs1 = [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]]
| clubs1 = Velež Nevesinje
| clubs2 = [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]]
| clubs2 = [[FK Leotar Trebinje|Leotar Trebinje]]
| clubs3 = → [[FK Leotar|Leotar]] (loan)
| clubs4 = [[Örebro SK]]
| clubs3 = [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]]
| clubs4 = [[Örebro SK]]
| clubs5 = [[Motala AIF]]
| caps1 =
| clubs5 = [[Motala AIF]]
| caps1 = 36
| caps2 = 214
| caps2 = 33
| caps3 = 33
| caps3 = 178
| caps4 = 64
| caps4 = 64
| caps5 = 58
| caps5 = 58
| goals1 =
| goals1 = 3
| goals2 = 34
| goals2 = 4
| goals3 = 4
| goals3 = 31
| goals4 = 8
| goals4 = 8
| goals5 = 11
| nationalyears1 = 1978–1979
| goals5 = 11
| nationalteam1 = [[Yugoslavia national under-21 football team|Yugoslavia U21]]
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 1981–1982
| nationalgoals1 =
| nationalteam2 = [[Yugoslavia Olympic football team|Yugoslavia U23]]
| medaltemplates =
| nationalcaps2 = 5
{{MedalSport | Men's [[Football (soccer)|Football]]}}
| nationalgoals2 = 0
{{MedalCountry | {{YUG}} }}
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|Football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{YUG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Mediterranean Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Mediterranean Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1979 Mediterranean Games|1979 Split]] | Team}}
{{MedalGold|[[1979 Mediterranean Games|1979 Split]]|Team}}
| manageryears1 = 1994-1996
| manageryears1 = 1995–1996
| manageryears2 = 1996-1997
| manageryears2 = 1996–1997
| manageryears3 = 1997-1998
| manageryears3 = 1997–1998
| manageryears4 = 1998-1999
| manageryears4 = 1999–2000
| manageryears5 = 1999-2000
| manageryears5 = 2000
| manageryears6 = 2000-2003
| manageryears6 = 2000–2003
| manageryears7 = 2005-2006
| manageryears7 = 2005–2006
| manageryears8 = 2006
| manageryears8 = 2006
| manageryears9 = 2007
| manageryears9 = 2007
| manageryears10 = 2008-2010
| manageryears10 = 2008–2010
| manageryears11 = 2010
| manageryears11 = 2010
| manageryears12 = 2011-2013
| manageryears12 = 2011–2013
| manageryears13 = 2014-
| manageryears13 = 2014
| manageryears14 = 2016
| managerclubs1 = [[FK Bečej]]
| manageryears15 = 2018
| managerclubs2 = [[FK Čukarički Stankom]]
| manageryears16 = 2019
| managerclubs3 = [[FK Obilić]]
| managerclubs4 = [[FK Budućnost Podgorica]]
| managerclubs1 = [[FK Bečej|Bečej]]
| managerclubs5 = [[FK Vojvodina]]
| managerclubs2 = [[FK Čukarički|Čukarički]]
| managerclubs6 = [[Legia Warsaw]]
| managerclubs3 = [[FK Obilić|Obilić]]
| managerclubs4 = [[FK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost Podgorica]]
| managerclubs7 = [[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbia U-21]]
| managerclubs8 = [[Wisła Kraków]]
| managerclubs5 = [[FK Vojvodina|Vojvodina]]
| managerclubs9 = [[AC Omonia]]
| managerclubs6 = [[Legia Warsaw]]
| managerclubs7 = [[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbia and Montenegro U21]]
| managerclubs10 = [[Lokomotiv Sofia]]
| managerclubs11 = [[Kavala F.C.]]
| managerclubs8 = [[Wisła Kraków]]
| managerclubs12 = [[Jiangsu Sainty]]
| managerclubs9 = [[AC Omonia|Omonia]]
| managerclubs10= [[FC Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia|Lokomotiv Sofia]]
| managerclubs13 = [[Changchun Yatai]]
| managerclubs11= [[Kavala F.C.|Kavala]]
| nationalyears1 = 1978-1980
| managerclubs12= [[Jiangsu Sainty F.C.|Jiangsu Sainty]]
| nationalteam1 = [[Yugoslavia national under-21 football team|Yugoslavia U-21]]
| managerclubs13= [[Changchun Yatai]]
| nationalcaps1= 7 | nationalgoals1 = 2
| managerclubs14= [[Tianjin Teda F.C.|Tianjin Teda]]
| nationalyears2 = 1981-1982
| managerclubs15= [[FK Vojvodina|Vojvodina]]
| nationalteam2 = [[Yugoslavia Olympic football team|Yugoslavia U-23]]
| managerclubs16= [[Kunshan F.C.|Kunshan]]
| nationalcaps2= 5 | nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
}}
'''Dragomir "Dragan" Okuka''' ([[Serbian Cyrillic]]: Дpaгoмиp Окука Дpaгaн; born April 2, 1954 in [[Porija]], [[Kalinovik]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]) is a [[Serbs|Serbian]] [[Football (soccer)|football]] coach .<ref>Okuka was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina but his official nationality is Serbian. See profile at his [http://www.draganokuka.com/english.htm official website]</ref> As a player he was predominantly associated with his time with [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]] where he won the 1981 [[Yugoslav Cup]] before joining Swedish club [[Örebro SK]], the place his son, professional footballer [[Dražen Okuka|Dražen]], was born before ending his career soon after.
'''Dragomir "Dragan" Okuka''' ({{Lang-sr-Cyr|Драгомир Драган Окука}}; born 2 April 1954) is a Serbian professional [[Manager (association football)|football manager]] and former [[Football player|player]].<ref>Okuka was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina but his official nationality is Serbian. See profile at his [http://www.draganokuka.com/english.htm official website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004061920/http://www.draganokuka.com/english.htm |date=4 October 2011 }}</ref>


As a player, he was predominantly associated with his time with [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]] where he won the 1981 [[Yugoslav Cup]] before joining Swedish club [[Örebro SK]], the place his son, professional footballer [[Dražen Okuka|Dražen]], was born before ending his career soon after.
Starting his management career with [[FK Bečej]], Dragan would win his first coaching honours with [[FK Obilić]] when he won the [[1997–98 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1997–98 Yugoslav league title]] with them. Since then he has achieved success with Polish club [[Legia Warsaw]] and managed [[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbian U-21]] to a fourth place finish within the [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|2006 European Under-21 Championship]]. He has also managed several other clubs and is as of 10 May 2014, currently the Head Coach of [[Chinese Super League]] club [[Changchun Yatai]].

Starting his management career with [[FK Bečej]], Okuka would win his first coaching honours with [[FK Obilić]] when he won the [[1997–98 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1997–98 Yugoslav league title]] with them.<ref name="Okuka UBC article">{{cite web |url=https://www.urbanbookcircle.com/interview-with-serbian-soccer-coach-dragan-okuka-by-djuradj-vujcic.html |last=Vujcic |first=Djuradj |agency=Urban Book Circle |title=Short interview with Serbian soccer coach Dragan Okuka |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=26 June 2015 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329002626/http://www.urbanbookcircle.com/interview-with-serbian-soccer-coach-dragan-okuka-by-djuradj-vujcic.html|archive-date=29 March 2024 |url-status= }}</ref> Since then he has achieved success with Polish club [[Legia Warsaw]] and managed the [[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbia and Montenegro under-21 team]] to a fourth-place finish at the [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|2006 European Under-21 Championship]]. He has also managed several other clubs.


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
Dragan Okuka started his football career playing for [[Yugoslav First League]] club [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]] and in his debut season was part of the squad that narrowly missed out on winning the [[1973–74 Yugoslav First League|1973–74 league title]] on goal difference to [[HNK Hajduk Split]].<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesj/joeghist.html Yugoslavia - List of Final Tables] at ''Rsssf.com''</ref> After several seasons within Velež Mostar's midfield Dragan would go on to win the 1981 [[Yugoslav Cup]] and [[Balkans Cup]] with the club, while also gaining a [[Bachelor of Laws|BA in Law]] from the [[University of Mostar]]. Having spent the majority of his career in Velež Mostar, Dragan would join [[Swedish football Division 2]] side [[Örebro SK]] for a short period before ending his career with Swedish lower league side [[Motala AIF]].<ref>[http://www.worldfootball.net/spieler_profil/dragan-okuka/ Dragan Okuka] at ''Worldfootball.net''</ref>
Okuka, born in [[Porija]] (a village in the [[Herzegovina|Herzegovinian]] town of [[Kalinovik]]), started his football career playing for Velež Nevesinje.<ref name="rodjeni">Book: "Rođeni - Prvoligaške generacije 1952 - 1991" by Zoran Mrđenović, pag. 37 {{in lang|sr}}</ref> However, he reached his affirmation at [[Yugoslav First League]] club [[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]] and in his debut season was part of the squad that narrowly missed out on winning the [[1973–74 Yugoslav First League|1973–74 league title]] on goal difference to [[HNK Hajduk Split]].<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joeghist.html Yugoslavia - List of Final Tables] at ''Rsssf.com''</ref> After several seasons within Velež Mostar's midfield Okuka would go on to win the 1981 [[Yugoslav Cup]] and [[Balkans Cup]] with the club, while also gaining a [[Bachelor of Laws|BA in Law]] from the [[University of Mostar]]. Having spent the majority of his career in Velež Mostar (11 years, except one season he spent on loan at [[FK Leotar Trebinje|Leotar Trebinje]]<ref name="rodjeni"/>), Okuka would join [[Swedish football Division 2]] side [[Örebro SK]] for a short period before ending his career with Swedish lower league side [[Motala AIF]].<ref>[http://www.worldfootball.net/spieler_profil/dragan-okuka/ Dragan Okuka] at ''Worldfootball.net''</ref>

He represented Yugoslavia at the [[Football at the 1979 Mediterranean Games|1979 Mediterranean Games]] (winning gold) and played four matches (scoring one goal) for the [[Yugoslavia national under-21 football team|Yugoslavia national under-21 team]].<ref name="rodjeni"/> Okuka was the captain of the under-21 side at the [[1980 UEFA European Under-21 Championship]] where Yugoslavia (led by a coaching duo of [[Ivan Toplak]] and [[Stevan Vilotić]]) reached the semi-final where they lost to the [[Soviet Union national under-21 football team|Soviet Union]].<ref name="Okuka UBC article"/>


==Coaching career==
==Coaching career==
After Dragan Okuka retired he would move back to Yugoslavia and returned to his first club Velež Mostar, where he took the position of General Manager within the team by 1990. His time at the club was short-lived, and he would soon have to face challenges outside football when his life would be disrupted by the [[Bosnian War]] in 1992, however in 1994 Dragan would make his first foray into management when he was hired by struggling Yugoslavian team [[FK Bečej]] and lead them to fourth within the [[1994–95 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1994–95 league season]].<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesj/joeg95.html Yugoslavia 1994/95] at ''rsssf.com''</ref> This would be enough for Dragan to lead the team to the [[1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup]], where the club were knocked out in the group stages; however, despite this, Dragan would soon attract the interests of [[FK Čukarički Stankom]], who he stayed with for one season.
After he retired, he would move back to Yugoslavia and return to his first club Velež Mostar, where he took the position of general manager within the team by 1990. His time at the club was short-lived, and he would soon have to face challenges outside football when his life would be disrupted by the [[Bosnian War]] in 1992, however in early 1995 Okuka would make his first foray into management when he was hired by struggling Yugoslavian team [[FK Bečej]] and lead them to fourth within the [[1994–95 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1994–95 league season]].<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joeg95.html Yugoslavia 1994/95] at ''rsssf.com''</ref> This would be enough for Okuka to lead the team to the [[1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup]], where the club were knocked out in the group stages; however, despite this, Okuka would soon attract the interests of [[FK Čukarički]], who he stayed with for one season.
Still regarded as one of the country's most promising coaches, he would join highly ambitious football club [[FK Obilić]] despite the questionable ownership of career criminal [[Željko Ražnatović]]. While at the club he would employ a 3-5-2 formation as the club won the [[1997–98 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1997–98 league title]] for the first time.<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesj/joeg98.html Yugoslavia 1997/98] at ''rsssf.com''</ref> Dragan would only stay with the club for one season, as Željko Ražnatović's ownership of the club came into question, and, despite having the chance to manage in the [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League]], Dragan decided to join [[FK Budućnost Podgorica]] the following season.<ref>[http://www.goal.com/en/news/2377/top-10/2010/10/10/2159240/top-10-club-takeovers Top 10 Club Takeovers] at ''goal.com''</ref>
Still regarded as one of the country's most promising coaches, he would join highly ambitious football club [[FK Obilić]] despite the questionable ownership of career criminal [[Željko Ražnatović]]. While at the club he would employ a 3-5-2 formation as the club won the [[1997–98 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1997–98 league title]] for the first time.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joeg98.html Yugoslavia 1997/98] at ''rsssf.com''</ref> Okuka would only stay with the club for one season, as Željko Ražnatović's ownership of the club came into question, and, despite having the chance to manage in the [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League]], Okuka decided to join [[FK Budućnost Podgorica]] the following season.<ref>[http://www.goal.com/en/news/2377/top-10/2010/10/10/2159240/top-10-club-takeovers Top 10 Club Takeovers] at ''goal.com''</ref>


After a short stint with [[FK Vojvodina]], Dragan would move away from the Yugoslavian league and join [[Ekstraklasa|top tier]] Polish side [[Legia Warsaw]], where he would soon get them to play in a 3-4-1-2 formation and eventually aid them to the [[2001–02 Ekstraklasa]] league title at the end of the season.<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/polhist.html Poland Final Tables (1st and 2nd level)] at ''rsssf.com''</ref> The following season wasn't so happy for Dragan, as Legia Warsaw were knocked out early within the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League]] while also having an underwhelming league season, which saw him replaced by [[Dariusz Kubicki]] at the end of the season.
After a short stint with [[FK Vojvodina]] in 2000, Okuka would move away from the Yugoslavian league and join [[Ekstraklasa|top tier]] Polish side [[Legia Warsaw]], where he would soon get them to play in a 3-4-1-2 formation and eventually aid them to the [[2001–02 Ekstraklasa]] league title at the end of the season.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/polhist.html Poland Final Tables (1st and 2nd level)] at ''rsssf.com''</ref> The following season wasn't so happy for Okuka, as Legia Warsaw were knocked out early within the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League]] while also having an underwhelming league season, which saw him replaced by [[Dariusz Kubicki]] at the end of the season.


After spending eighteen months out of coaching, he was offered the chance to manage the [[Serbia and Montenegro national under-21 football team|Serbia and Montenegro U-21 team]], where he used a 4-4-2 formation to help guide the team to the [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|2006 European Under-21 Championship]]. At the tournament he would go on to guide the club to a semi-final position as the team narrowly missed the final in a penalty shoot-out against [[Ukraine national under-21 football team|Ukraine]].<ref>[http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2006/round=1913/match=84132/index.html Penalty drama goes Ukraine's way] at ''uefa.com''</ref> Once the tournament finished Dragan would return to club football with Polish side [[Wisła Kraków]], who were looking for someone to improve upon their last season's result of second within the league. Already several games into the season expectations were still high despite the previous manager [[Dan Petrescu]] being fired after a slow start; however, Dragan was not the manager to change the club's fortunes and was fired two months later after only eight games, with the club languishing in mid-table.
After spending eighteen months out of coaching, he was offered the chance to manage the [[Serbia and Montenegro national under-21 football team|Serbia and Montenegro under-21 team]], where he used a 4-4-2 formation to help guide the team to the [[2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship]]. At the tournament he would go on to guide the club to a semi-final position as the team narrowly missed the final in a penalty shoot-out against [[Ukraine national under-21 football team|Ukraine]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120709190545/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2006/round=1913/match=84132/index.html Penalty drama goes Ukraine's way] at ''uefa.com''</ref> Once the tournament finished Okuka would return to club football with Polish side [[Wisła Kraków]], who were looking for someone to improve upon their last season's result of second within the league. Already several games into the season expectations were still high despite the previous manager [[Dan Petrescu]] being fired after a slow start; however, Okuka was not the manager to change the club's fortunes and was fired two months later after only eight games, with the club languishing in mid-table.


Dragan would move around Europe, first with Cypriot side [[AC Omonia]], where he played a 4-2-3-1 formation with little success before leaving the club after only several months. He wouldn't wait too long before joining Bulgarian side [[Lokomotiv Sofia]] in June 2008; however, the highlight of his reign was a short stint within the [[2008–09 UEFA Cup]], and, after being unable to mount a title challenge during his time with the club, they decided not to renew his contract. This saw him move to Greek side [[Kavala F.C.]], but he only stayed with the club for five mouths and was replaced with [[Henryk Kasperczak]]. Deciding not to stay within Europe, Dragan would accept the management position from Chinese top-tier football club [[Jiangsu Sainty]], who he joined half-way through their 2011 league season and within his debut season guided the club to their best-ever finish of fourth at the end of the campaign.<ref>[http://www.sportske.net/vest/domaci-fudbal/okuka-drago-mi-je-da-sam-opravdao-renome-tumbe-kosana-santraca-56671.html Okuka follows in the footsteps] at ''Sportske.net''</ref> He would strive to made [[Jiangsu Sainty]] the Chinese Super League runner-up in 2012, with only 4points to equal [[Marcello Lippi]]'s [[Guangzhou Evergrande]] at the end of the season. Okuka would receive the honour of Chinese Football Association : Coach of the Year for his wonderful coaching performance in 2012 and he was to gain popularity among soccer fans throughout China. Okuka won his first title for Jiangsu in the [[2013 Chinese FA Super Cup]] bu beating [[2012 Chinese Super League|Super League]] and [[2012 Chinese FA Cup|FA Cup]] winners Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1. However, Jiangsu Sainty spent most time in struggling at the edge of relegation in the 2013 season and finally avoided relegation by beating [[Qingdao Jonoon]] just one point. The club decided not to extended his contract at the end of the season.
Okuka would move around Europe, first with Cypriot side [[AC Omonia]], where he played a 4-2-3-1 formation with little success before leaving the club after only several months. He wouldn't wait too long before joining Bulgarian side [[Lokomotiv Sofia]] in June 2008; however, the highlight of his reign was a short stint within the [[2008–09 UEFA Cup]], and, after being unable to mount a title challenge during his time with the club, they decided not to renew his contract. This saw him move to Greek side [[Kavala F.C.]], but he only stayed with the club for five mouths and was replaced with [[Henryk Kasperczak]]. Deciding not to stay within Europe, Okuka would accept the management position from Chinese top-tier club [[Jiangsu Sainty F.C.|Jiangsu Sainty]], who he joined half-way through their 2011 league season and within his debut season guided the club to their best-ever finish of fourth at the end of the campaign.<ref>[http://www.sportske.net/vest/domaci-fudbal/okuka-drago-mi-je-da-sam-opravdao-renome-tumbe-kosana-santraca-56671.html Okuka follows in the footsteps] at ''Sportske.net''</ref> He would strive to make [[Jiangsu Sainty F.C.|Jiangsu Sainty]] the Chinese Super League runner-up in 2012, with only 4points to equal [[Marcello Lippi]]'s [[Guangzhou Evergrande]] at the end of the season. Okuka would receive the honour of Chinese FA Coach of the Year for his wonderful coaching performance in 2012 and he was to gain popularity among soccer fans throughout China. Okuka won his first title for Jiangsu in the [[2013 Chinese FA Super Cup]] bu beating [[2012 Chinese Super League|Super League]] and [[2012 Chinese FA Cup|FA Cup]] winners Guangzhou Evergrande 2–1. However, Jiangsu Sainty spent most time in struggling at the edge of relegation in the 2013 season and finally avoided relegation by beating [[Qingdao Jonoon]] just one point. The club decided not to extend his contract at the end of the season.


==Honours ==
==Honours==


===As a player===
===Player===
'''[[FK Velež Mostar|Velež Mostar]]'''
'''Velež Mostar'''
*[[Yugoslav Cup]]: 1981
* [[Yugoslav Cup]]: 1981
*[[Balkans Cup]]: 1981
* [[Balkans Cup]]: 1981


===As a coach===
===Manager===
;'''[[FK Obilić]]'''
'''Obilić'''
*[[First League of FR Yugoslavia|Yugoslav Championship]]: [[1997–98 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1997–98]]
*[[First League of FR Yugoslavia]]: [[1997–98 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1997–98]]


;'''[[Legia Warsaw]]'''
'''Legia Warsaw'''
*[[Ekstraklasa]]: [[2001–02 Ekstraklasa|2001–02]]
* [[Ekstraklasa]]: [[2001–02 Ekstraklasa|2001–02]]
* [[Polish League Cup (1999–2002)|Polish League Cup]]: 2001–02
*[[Ekstraklasa Cup]]: 2002


;'''[[Jiangsu Sainty]]'''
'''Jiangsu Sainty'''
* [[Chinese FA Super Cup]]: [[2013 Chinese FA Super Cup|2013]]
* [[Chinese FA Super Cup]]: [[2013 Chinese FA Super Cup|2013]]


;'''Individual'''
'''Individual'''
*[[Chinese Football Association]] Coach of the Year: [[2012 Chinese Super League|2012]]
* [[Chinese Football Association]] Coach of the Year: [[2012 Chinese Super League|2012]]
*[[Serbian Footballer of the Year#Coach of the Year|Serbian Coach of the Year]]: 2012
* [[Serbian Footballer of the Year#Coach of the Year|Serbian Coach of the Year]]: 2012


==References==
==References==
Line 115: Line 125:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.draganokuka.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.draganokuka.com/ Official website]
*[http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/trainer/3874/okuka-dragomir/aufeinenblick.html Coaching career] at Transfermarkt.co.uk


{{Navboxes
{{S-start}}
|title= Managerial positions
{{s-ach|aw}}
|list1=
{{succession box
{{FK Obilić managers}}
| before=[[Ivan Jovanović (coach)|Ivan Jovanović]]
| after=[[Ljubinko Drulović]]
| title=[[Serbian Footballer of the Year#Coach of the Year|Serbian Coach of the Year]]
| years=2012
}}
{{S-end}}

{{Changchun Yatai F.C. squad}}
{{Chinese Super League managers}}
{{Chinese Football Association Coach of the Year}}
{{FK Budućnost Podgorica managers}}
{{FK Budućnost Podgorica managers}}
{{FK Vojvodina managers}}
{{FK Vojvodina managers}}
{{Legia Warszawa managers}}
{{Legia Warsaw managers}}
{{Serbia and Montenegro national under-21 football team managers}}
{{Wisła Kraków managers}}
{{Wisła Kraków managers}}
{{AC Omonia managers}}

{{Kavala F.C. managers}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
{{Jiangsu Sainty F.C. managers}}
| NAME = Okuka, Dragan
{{Tianjin Teda F.C. managers}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Okuka, Dragomir
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Yugoslav/Serbian football player and manager
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1954-04-02
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Porija, FPR Yugoslavia
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{Football Association of Serbia Coach of the Year}}
{{Chinese Football Association Coach of the Year}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Okuka, Dragan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okuka, Dragan}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Kalinovik]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Foča Region]]
[[Category:Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
[[Category:Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
[[Category:Serbian footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:People from Kalinovik]]
[[Category:Yugoslav men's footballers]]
[[Category:Yugoslav footballers]]
[[Category:Mediterranean Games gold medalists for Yugoslavia]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1979 Mediterranean Games]]
[[Category:Yugoslav First League players]]
[[Category:Mediterranean Games medalists in football]]
[[Category:FK Velež Mostar players]]
[[Category:FK Velež Mostar players]]
[[Category:FK Leotar players]]
[[Category:FK Leotar players]]
[[Category:Örebro SK players]]
[[Category:Örebro SK players]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate footballers]]
[[Category:Yugoslav First League players]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Sweden]]
[[Category:Yugoslav expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden]]
[[Category:Yugoslav expatriate sportspeople in Sweden]]
[[Category:Serbia and Montenegro football managers]]
[[Category:Serbian football managers]]
[[Category:Serbian football managers]]
[[Category:FK Bečej managers]]
[[Category:FK Čukarički managers]]
[[Category:FK Obilić managers]]
[[Category:FK Budućnost Podgorica managers]]
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[[Category:FK Vojvodina managers]]
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[[Category:Legia Warsaw managers]]
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[[Category:Serbia national under-21 football team managers]]
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[[Category:Wisła Kraków managers]]
[[Category:Football managers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:AC Omonia managers]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriates in Poland]]
[[Category:FC Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Poland]]
[[Category:Jiangsu Sainty F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in China]]
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[[Category:Kavala F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Kavala F.C. managers]]
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[[Category:Changchun Yatai F.C. managers]]
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[[Category:Serbia and Montenegro expatriate sportspeople in Poland]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Bulgaria]]
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[[Category:Expatriate football managers in China]]
[[Category:Serbian expatriate sportspeople in China]]
[[Category:University of Mostar alumni]]

Latest revision as of 21:19, 3 November 2024

Dragan Okuka
Personal information
Full name Dragomir Okuka
Date of birth (1954-04-02) 2 April 1954 (age 70)
Place of birth Porija, PR Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1974 Velež Nevesinje
1974–1985 Velež Mostar 214 (34)
1977–1978 → Leotar (loan) 33 (4)
1985–1987 Örebro SK 64 (8)
1987–1989 Motala AIF 58 (11)
International career
1978–1979 Yugoslavia U21 4 (1)
1981–1982 Yugoslavia U23 5 (0)
Managerial career
1995–1996 Bečej
1996–1997 Čukarički
1997–1998 Obilić
1999–2000 Budućnost Podgorica
2000 Vojvodina
2000–2003 Legia Warsaw
2005–2006 Serbia and Montenegro U21
2006 Wisła Kraków
2007 Omonia
2008–2010 Lokomotiv Sofia
2010 Kavala
2011–2013 Jiangsu Sainty
2014 Changchun Yatai
2016 Tianjin Teda
2018 Vojvodina
2019 Kunshan
Medal record
Men's Football
Representing  Yugoslavia
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 1979 Split Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Dragomir "Dragan" Okuka (Serbian Cyrillic: Драгомир Драган Окука; born 2 April 1954) is a Serbian professional football manager and former player.[1]

As a player, he was predominantly associated with his time with Velež Mostar where he won the 1981 Yugoslav Cup before joining Swedish club Örebro SK, the place his son, professional footballer Dražen, was born before ending his career soon after.

Starting his management career with FK Bečej, Okuka would win his first coaching honours with FK Obilić when he won the 1997–98 Yugoslav league title with them.[2] Since then he has achieved success with Polish club Legia Warsaw and managed the Serbia and Montenegro under-21 team to a fourth-place finish at the 2006 European Under-21 Championship. He has also managed several other clubs.

Playing career

[edit]

Okuka, born in Porija (a village in the Herzegovinian town of Kalinovik), started his football career playing for Velež Nevesinje.[3] However, he reached his affirmation at Yugoslav First League club Velež Mostar and in his debut season was part of the squad that narrowly missed out on winning the 1973–74 league title on goal difference to HNK Hajduk Split.[4] After several seasons within Velež Mostar's midfield Okuka would go on to win the 1981 Yugoslav Cup and Balkans Cup with the club, while also gaining a BA in Law from the University of Mostar. Having spent the majority of his career in Velež Mostar (11 years, except one season he spent on loan at Leotar Trebinje[3]), Okuka would join Swedish football Division 2 side Örebro SK for a short period before ending his career with Swedish lower league side Motala AIF.[5]

He represented Yugoslavia at the 1979 Mediterranean Games (winning gold) and played four matches (scoring one goal) for the Yugoslavia national under-21 team.[3] Okuka was the captain of the under-21 side at the 1980 UEFA European Under-21 Championship where Yugoslavia (led by a coaching duo of Ivan Toplak and Stevan Vilotić) reached the semi-final where they lost to the Soviet Union.[2]

Coaching career

[edit]

After he retired, he would move back to Yugoslavia and return to his first club Velež Mostar, where he took the position of general manager within the team by 1990. His time at the club was short-lived, and he would soon have to face challenges outside football when his life would be disrupted by the Bosnian War in 1992, however in early 1995 Okuka would make his first foray into management when he was hired by struggling Yugoslavian team FK Bečej and lead them to fourth within the 1994–95 league season.[6] This would be enough for Okuka to lead the team to the 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup, where the club were knocked out in the group stages; however, despite this, Okuka would soon attract the interests of FK Čukarički, who he stayed with for one season.

Still regarded as one of the country's most promising coaches, he would join highly ambitious football club FK Obilić despite the questionable ownership of career criminal Željko Ražnatović. While at the club he would employ a 3-5-2 formation as the club won the 1997–98 league title for the first time.[7] Okuka would only stay with the club for one season, as Željko Ražnatović's ownership of the club came into question, and, despite having the chance to manage in the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, Okuka decided to join FK Budućnost Podgorica the following season.[8]

After a short stint with FK Vojvodina in 2000, Okuka would move away from the Yugoslavian league and join top tier Polish side Legia Warsaw, where he would soon get them to play in a 3-4-1-2 formation and eventually aid them to the 2001–02 Ekstraklasa league title at the end of the season.[9] The following season wasn't so happy for Okuka, as Legia Warsaw were knocked out early within the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League while also having an underwhelming league season, which saw him replaced by Dariusz Kubicki at the end of the season.

After spending eighteen months out of coaching, he was offered the chance to manage the Serbia and Montenegro under-21 team, where he used a 4-4-2 formation to help guide the team to the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. At the tournament he would go on to guide the club to a semi-final position as the team narrowly missed the final in a penalty shoot-out against Ukraine.[10] Once the tournament finished Okuka would return to club football with Polish side Wisła Kraków, who were looking for someone to improve upon their last season's result of second within the league. Already several games into the season expectations were still high despite the previous manager Dan Petrescu being fired after a slow start; however, Okuka was not the manager to change the club's fortunes and was fired two months later after only eight games, with the club languishing in mid-table.

Okuka would move around Europe, first with Cypriot side AC Omonia, where he played a 4-2-3-1 formation with little success before leaving the club after only several months. He wouldn't wait too long before joining Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Sofia in June 2008; however, the highlight of his reign was a short stint within the 2008–09 UEFA Cup, and, after being unable to mount a title challenge during his time with the club, they decided not to renew his contract. This saw him move to Greek side Kavala F.C., but he only stayed with the club for five mouths and was replaced with Henryk Kasperczak. Deciding not to stay within Europe, Okuka would accept the management position from Chinese top-tier club Jiangsu Sainty, who he joined half-way through their 2011 league season and within his debut season guided the club to their best-ever finish of fourth at the end of the campaign.[11] He would strive to make Jiangsu Sainty the Chinese Super League runner-up in 2012, with only 4points to equal Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande at the end of the season. Okuka would receive the honour of Chinese FA Coach of the Year for his wonderful coaching performance in 2012 and he was to gain popularity among soccer fans throughout China. Okuka won his first title for Jiangsu in the 2013 Chinese FA Super Cup bu beating Super League and FA Cup winners Guangzhou Evergrande 2–1. However, Jiangsu Sainty spent most time in struggling at the edge of relegation in the 2013 season and finally avoided relegation by beating Qingdao Jonoon just one point. The club decided not to extend his contract at the end of the season.

Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]

Velež Mostar

Manager

[edit]

Obilić

Legia Warsaw

Jiangsu Sainty

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Okuka was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina but his official nationality is Serbian. See profile at his official website Archived 4 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b Vujcic, Djuradj (26 June 2015). "Short interview with Serbian soccer coach Dragan Okuka". Urban Book Circle. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Book: "Rođeni - Prvoligaške generacije 1952 - 1991" by Zoran Mrđenović, pag. 37 (in Serbian)
  4. ^ Yugoslavia - List of Final Tables at Rsssf.com
  5. ^ Dragan Okuka at Worldfootball.net
  6. ^ Yugoslavia 1994/95 at rsssf.com
  7. ^ Yugoslavia 1997/98 at rsssf.com
  8. ^ Top 10 Club Takeovers at goal.com
  9. ^ Poland Final Tables (1st and 2nd level) at rsssf.com
  10. ^ Penalty drama goes Ukraine's way at uefa.com
  11. ^ Okuka follows in the footsteps at Sportske.net
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