Velimir Naumović (Serbian Cyrillic: Велимир Наумовић; 19 March 1936 – 19 December 2011) was a Serbian footballer who played as a striker for SFR Yugoslavia. He was often called Veljko Naumović. During his managerial career, he was nicknamed The Saviour for his profound record of saving club from sticky situations.
Playing career Club He first appeared on Kantrida, his future club's ground, in 1954 at Kvarnerska Rivijera, where Red Star beat Rijeka 3:1 in the final of the tournament. During his military service in Rijeka, he moved to the town's football club NK Rijeka. He stayed at the club for nine years and became a legend, being part of the club's first generation to play in the First League. During his time in Rijeka, he received numerous offers to return to Red Star Belgrade, but stayed loyal to Rijeka. He played a total of 400 matches and scored 155 goals in all competitions.
In 1965, he moved to Belgian Standard Liège, where he won two Cup and one League title. During his time in Belgium, he was nicknamed "Yugoslav Puskás" for his superb playing. In the 1967–68 European Cup Winners' Cup, the team got to the quarter final where they were defeated by AC Milan. After Standard Liège, he moved to the French club Stade Rennais in 1969. There, he mostly played as a midfielder. He helped the club win the 1971 Coupe de France, their second trophy in history. He finished his career playing for the low-tier Belgian clubs Racing Jet and Tilleur.
International Naumović made his debut for Yugoslavia in an October 1963 friendly match away against Romania, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Slaven Zambata, and earned a total of 3 caps (no goals). His final international again was a friendly against Romania but since the Romanians played with their Olympic squad both games are unofficial.
Managerial career After his playing career, he managed NK Rudar Labin, NK Orijent, Tilleur, Africa Sports, and MC Alger.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRed Star Belgrade1953–54Yugoslav First League20––201954–5510––101955–5600––00Yugoslavia30000030NK Rijeka1956–57Yugoslav Second League235––2351957–582617––26171958–59Yugoslav First League22841–2691959–6019410–2041960–6120110–2111961–6219321–2141962–6324110–2511963–6425110–2611964–6526110–271Yugoslavia204411120021543Standard Liège1965–66Belgian First Division242–302721966–67171–802511967–68230–502801968–6920––20Total66300160823Rennes1969–70Division 130280–3821970-7119050–240Total49213000622Career total3224624216036248
International + Velimir Naumović' matches for the Yugoslavia national teamDate Location Host team Score Away team Competition Goals scored27 October 1963 Stadionul August 23, Bucharest 2–1 Friendly 018 March 1964 Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia 0–1 Friendly 017 June 1964 JNA Stadium, Belgrade 1–2 Friendly 0Total Appearances 3 Goals 0
Honours Red Star Belgrade Yugoslav First League: 1955–56
NK Rijeka Yugoslav Second League: 1957–58
Standard Liège Belgian First Division: 1968–69 Belgian Cup: 1966, 1967
Rennes Coupe de France: 1970–71
MC Alger Algerian Championnat National: 1978–79
Africa Sports Ivory Coast Ligue 1: 1982, 1983 Coupe de Côte d'Ivoire: 1981, 1982 Coupe Houphouët-Boigny: 1981, 1982
Individual Yugoslav Second League top scorer: 1957–58 NK Rijeka all time XI by: Novi List
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