Ljubinko Drulović


Ljubinko Drulović is a Serbian former footballer who played as a winger, and a current manager.
He spent the most notable part of his playing career in Portugal, with stints at Porto and Benfica – a combined ten seasons between the two clubs, winning 14 major titles with the former.
Drulović represented the Serbian national team in one World Cup and one European Championship, earning nearly 40 caps.

Club career

Drulović was born in Nova Varoš, Serbia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After playing out his contract at FK Rad in the summer of 1992, he signed a two-year deal with Portuguese club Gil Vicente FC, but only remained there until December 1993, after which he moved to FC Porto also of the Primeira Liga; between both teams, he finished the 1993–94 season with a career-best 18 goals.
Drulović was one of very few players to have contributed to each of Porto's five consecutive titles during the 90s. He was mostly remembered at the side for his pin-point assists and ability to cross the ball, mainly to the head of Mário Jardel.
In June 2001, already 33, Drulović joined S.L. Benfica. After a slow 2002–03 campaign, he returned home and signed with FK Partizan, being one of the side's most influential players as they reached the group stage in the UEFA Champions League; he moved back to Portugal a year later, finishing out his career with F.C. Penafiel alongside former Porto teammate António Folha.
Drulović began his coaching career with modest Portuguese club G.D. Tourizense, in 2006–07. At the season's closure, he obtained a professional licence.
In early April 2008, Drulović became manager of FK Banat Zrenjanin in the Serbian SuperLiga. As the fifth manager of the season – he replaced Žarko Soldo – he took over a team under relegation threat, with eleven matches to go. Eventually, he could not help prevent them from dropping down a level after a 4–1 loss to FK Vojvodina on 17 May.
In June 2008, Drulović moved to Slovenia and signed with NK Drava Ptuj. Almost two years later, in January 2010, he was appointed coach of C.D. Primeiro de Agosto of the Angolan Girabola.

International career

Drulović made his debut for FR Yugoslavia on 28 December 1996, in a friendly with Argentina played in Mar del Plata. He went on to play a further 37 times in the following five years, appearing for the nation at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 tournaments and contributing with one goal in the 3–3 group stage draw against Slovenia and four assists in the latter as the country reached the quarter-finals.

Career statistics

International

Honours

Player

Porto
1º de Agosto
Serbia U19
Individual