Ilija Dimoski

Ilija Dimoski (; 27 June 1939 – 3 November 2008) was a Yugoslav and Macedonian football manager and player.

Playing career Born in Zabrčani, a village near Prilep, Dimoski started out at local club Pobeda, helping them win promotion to the Yugoslav Second League in 1959. He made 42 appearances over the next two seasons, attracting attention from other clubs.

In the summer of 1961, Dimoski was transferred to league rivals Radnički Niš. He became a regular starter in his first year, helping the club win promotion to the Yugoslav First League. Over the following 12 seasons, Dimoski amassed over 300 appearances in the top flight, scoring 22 times. He also set the Yugoslav First League record for most own goals, with seven. Before retiring, Dimoski briefly played for lower league club Proleter Novi Sad.

Managerial career After serving as an assistant to Dušan Nenković, Dimoski was appointed as manager of Radnički Niš in the summer of 1982. He led the team to a fourth-place finish in his first season in charge, earning a spot in the 1983–84 UEFA Cup. On 31 March 1984, Dimoski was relieved from his duties as the club's manager.

In 1989, Dimoski spent some time in Australia as manager of National Soccer League side Footscray JUST. He subsequently returned to Yugoslavia as manager of Second League club GOŠK-Jug.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dimoski served as manager of a number of Macedonian clubs, including Rabotnički and Bregalnica Delčevo.

Career statistics