FCBARCELONA.CAT

DUSKO IVANOVIC

Dusko Ivanovic was born on the 1st September 1957 in Bijelo Pojie (Montenegro). He came to FC Barcelona in June 2005 after having established himself as one of Europe’s best coaches of the moment.

His coaching career started in Switzerland with Fribourg Olimpic in the seasons 1995-99, where he won three league titles and two cups. He was also chosen to lead the Swiss national team between the years of 1997-2000. The last season saw him also take on the role as coach of French team C SP Limoges, where he achieved Korac cup, French league and Cup honours in the same year.

These credentials caught the attention of TAU, who then later signed him for the season 2000-01. In his first year he was voted best coach of the season and a year later he was given the accolade of best coach by the magazine ‘gigantes’. In his first season with TAU, he was runner-up in the Euroleague and finished third in the ACB. The following season he won the double – The ACB league and the King’s cup. In the season of 2003-04, he reached the final of the King’s cup, however, it was the team led by Dejan Bodiroga which took the cup back to Barcelona. In the season of 2003-04, he beat DKV Joventut 81-77 to win his second King’s cup crown.

His last season was a somewhat bitter-sweet end; he so nearly won three titles. He was runner-up in Europe against Maccabi, reached the semifinals of the King’s cup and finished runner-up in the ACB league after losing to Madrid in the fifth and final game.

Alter five seasons at the helm of TAU, he decided to leave Vittoria. His new destination was Barcelona, where in his first season he achieved qualification into the Euro league, and in his second he won the Spanish Cup 2007 in Malaga.

Ivanovic taught his players many things he learnt as a player in his long and illustrious career. He started in Budnocnost Titigrado (1985-87) and his sporting glory saw him wear the shirt of Jugoplastica Split from 1987-90. Two European cups, three Yugoslavian leagues and a Yugoslavian cup were his achievements with Split, where he was part of an historical line up with players such as Dino Radja and Toni Kukoc. Following this successful stint, he went to Girona where he played for three further seasons as a player. Finally, following a year in Sisely Fribourg suizo, he retired from playing duties and took on the role as a coach.