Dobrinko Ilievski will lead the U21s, while Goran Stankovski will take charge in the U19 national team of Macedonia.
photo by FFM: Ilievski (L) and Stankovski (R)
The saga of who will be the new U21 national team coach is finally over. The Football federation of Macedonia today announced that they have decided to hire Dobrinko Ilievski. It is not a surprise since the popular Pizhon has already been part of the youth national teams in the last four years. From the U15s top the U19s, Ilievski is familiar with working conditions and most important with the players as he had already trained most of them. The Kriva Palanka born has previously been in charge of Bregalnica and Teteks as well as assistant coach in Vardar and Makedonija GjP with whom has won 3 titles in the Macedonian top flight. As a player he has played for Balkan, Cementarnica 55, Tikvesh and Osogovo, among others.
“I thank FFM for the confidence they have shown in me, it is a huge challenge to work with the U21 national team. Most of the players were already working under my guide in the past few years so in a way we will simply continue where we stopped. Choosing me is also a confirmation for the good job I’ve done throughout the years, something for which I’m grateful.” – Ilievski told the official web site of FFM.
The 51-year-old Ilievski steps in for Blagoja Milevski who left the U21s to take a managerial job at Israeli club Ashdod. The team hasn’t performed well in the EURO qualifications and after 6 matches is bottom placed with only one win and 5 defeats including one by Gibraltar.
“My primary goal will be to create a good atmosphere in the team. I know all the players and I’m convinced that they will be thursty for showing off. That is important, but we also must stay responsible and serious. We have four matches left of the 2019 EURO qualifications in which we will try to make positive results. We will also play two friendlies against Montenegro in November.” – concluded Ilievski.
The U19 national team also has made coaching changes. New face is Goran Stankovski, also known as Gamagam. The 41-year-old native of Tetovo ended his playing career three years ago and immediately started coaching the youth teams of Rabotnichki. He was chosen as youth coach of the season in 2016/17 after which he was promoted to lead the senior team of the club. The former striker has played for many club both internationally and in Macedonia. He won two consecutive Macedonian league titles with Sloga Jugomagnat, as well as one Cup.
Stankovski takes the place of Vujadin Stanojkovikj who did a good job with the last generation of U19 players. He reached the Elite Round of 2018 EURO qualifiers coming close to qualification.