1. Overview
Saša Ilić (Саша Илићsâʃa îlitɕSerbian; born December 30, 1977) is a Serbian professional football manager and former player, primarily known for his exceptional career as an attacking midfielder. He spent over two decades with FK Partizan, across both youth and senior teams, becoming the most capped player in the club's history with over 800 appearances in official and friendly matches. Ilić's career at Partizan was marked by significant success, including 18 trophies, notably 11 national championship titles and seven national cups. He also holds the record for most appearances in European club competitions for Partizan, with 113 matches played. His career also included spells with clubs in Spain, Turkey, Austria, and Greece. At the international level, Ilić represented his country under three different national team names - FR Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia - accumulating a total of 37 appearances from 2000 to 2008, including participation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Following his playing retirement, Ilić transitioned into coaching, managing several clubs.
2. Life and Early Career
Saša Ilić was born in Požarevac, SFR Yugoslavia. His football journey began early when his father, Milan Ilić, brought him to a training session at FK Partizan in 1986. He was officially registered with the club on September 5, 1988, progressing through all the youth ranks within Partizan's system. To gain crucial first-team experience before fully integrating into Partizan's senior squad, Ilić also spent one season playing for FK Teleoptik.
3. Club Player Career
Saša Ilić's professional career as a player spanned several clubs, marked by two significant stints at his beloved FK Partizan, interspersed with experiences in various European leagues.
3.1. Partizan (First Stint)
Ilić made his competitive debut for Partizan on October 26, 1996, coming on as a second-half substitute in a dominant 10-0 away victory against FK Borac Čačak. During this match, he notably wore the number 1 shirt. This was his sole appearance in the 1996-97 season, a year in which Partizan successfully defended their championship title. The following season, 1997-98, saw Ilić make his international debut on July 23, 1997, providing a crucial late second-half assist to Dragan Isailović in a 1-0 home win over GNK Dinamo Zagreb in European competition. Despite the victory, Partizan was eliminated after a shocking 5-0 loss in the return leg at Stadion Maksimir. On August 23, 1997, Ilić scored his first goal for Partizan in a 3-2 away win against FK Vojvodina. He concluded that season with 25 league appearances and three goals.
In the summer of 1998, at just 20 years old, Ilić was appointed the team's captain following the departure of Ivan Tomić to A.S. Roma. In this new leadership role, Ilić was instrumental in guiding Partizan to a national championship victory after a one-year absence. He also participated in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, where Partizan was eliminated in the second round by S.S. Lazio, who eventually won the competition. In the subsequent years, Ilić firmly established himself as a key team leader and became an adored figure among the club's fans, known as the Grobari. During this period, he also began receiving his first call-ups to the national team in 2000. He scored the winning goal in the 2000-01 national cup final, securing a 1-0 victory for his team against arch-rivals Red Star Belgrade at their home ground. Ilić finished that season as the club's top scorer, netting 26 goals across all competitions.
Ilić continued to lead the club to consecutive national championships in 2001-02 and 2002-03. In European play, he finally achieved qualification for the UEFA Champions League in the 2003-04 season, after successfully eliminating Newcastle United F.C. in the final qualification round. Drawn into a challenging group alongside FC Porto, Real Madrid CF, and Olympique de Marseille, Ilić played in all six group stage matches, with Partizan recording three draws and three losses.
3.2. Overseas Career
Saša Ilić's career took him to several clubs outside of Serbia, allowing him to experience different football cultures and leagues.
3.2.1. Celta Vigo (Loan)
In the 2004 winter transfer window, Ilić moved on a six-month loan to Spanish club Celta de Vigo, with an option for a permanent transfer. During this period, he joined two compatriots, manager Radomir Antić and striker Savo Milošević. Ilić made his debut for Celta on February 8, 2004, in a 2-1 home victory against Villarreal CF. Later that month, he scored the opening goal against Real Madrid CF at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, though Celta ultimately lost the match 2-4. Following Celta's relegation from the Primera División, Ilić concluded his loan spell and departed from Vigo.
3.2.2. Galatasaray
After a successful return season with FK Partizan, Ilić moved abroad for the second time, signing a three-year contract with Turkish club Galatasaray on July 8, 2005. Despite being offered the prestigious number 10 shirt, Ilić chose to wear his traditional number 22. He made an immediate impact, scoring two goals on his Galatasaray and Süper Lig debut on August 7, 2005, securing a 2-1 win over Konyaspor. He scored another brace in a 3-2 home victory against Beşiktaş J.K. on October 12, 2005. With a total of 12 goals, Ilić was the team's third-highest scorer in the 2005-06 Süper Lig season, playing a crucial role in helping the club reclaim the championship title at Ali Sami Yen Stadium after a four-year drought.
Ilić continued his strong form into the 2006-07 Süper Lig season, netting five goals in the first four league rounds. In the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League group stage, he maintained his goal-scoring prowess, finding the net against top clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool F.C.. However, Galatasaray narrowly missed out on a UEFA Cup spot, finishing fourth in their group.
3.2.3. Red Bull Salzburg and Larissa (Loan)
In June 2007, Saša Ilić was officially transferred to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, signing a three-year contract. His move was reportedly influenced by Lothar Matthäus, with whom he had previously collaborated successfully at FK Partizan. However, Matthäus was released by Salzburg only a few days after Ilić's arrival. Ilić scored his first goal for Red Bull Salzburg on August 8, 2007, during a Champions League qualifier against Latvian side FK Ventspils.
In January 2009, Ilić was loaned to Greek club AEL until the end of the 2008-09 Superleague Greece season. He scored his only goal for the club during the Superleague Greece playoffs against AEK Athens F.C.. Upon his return to Red Bull Salzburg, Ilić found playing opportunities infrequent. In September 2009, he was suspended by the club's board due to alleged betting against Salzburg in their 2009-10 UEFA Europa League match against S.S. Lazio. While Ilić dismissed the accusation of betting against his own team, he admitted to placing bets on other matches. His teammate and countryman, Đorđe Rakić, was also involved, but faced no consequences.
3.3. Partizan (Second Stint and Retirement)
On January 22, 2010, Saša Ilić officially rejoined FK Partizan from Red Bull Salzburg on a free transfer, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. He was immediately re-assigned his cherished number 22 shirt and appointed vice-captain to Mladen Krstajić by manager Goran Stevanović. Ilić made his official comeback appearance for the club on February 27, 2010, against FK Borac Čačak, notably at the same venue where he had made his first debut fourteen years earlier. In the latter half of the 2009-10 Serbian SuperLiga season, he missed only one of 15 league games and scored three goals, contributing to the club's third consecutive league title.
Ilić scored his first goal of the 2010-11 campaign in a Champions League qualifier against Finnish champions HJK, showcasing glimpses of his enduring talent. He played a vital role in helping Partizan reach the group stage of the Champions League that season, marking the club's first appearance at that stage in seven years. He also contributed to the club winning a domestic double (league and cup) that season. Following Krstajić's retirement in the summer of 2011, Ilić assumed the captaincy for the third time, leading the team to another championship title at the end of the 2011-12 Serbian SuperLiga season.
In July 2012, Ilić signed a new one-year contract, extending his career until June 2013. His consistent performances earned him a place in the 2012-13 SuperLiga Team of the Season, and he further contributed to his team securing its sixth consecutive league title. He continued to sign one-year contract extensions in the summers of 2013 and 2014, demonstrating his continued value to the squad. Ilić collected his 10th league title with Partizan in the 2014-15 Serbian SuperLiga season.
On May 22, 2015, Ilić once again extended his stay with Partizan for another year. He achieved a significant milestone on July 29, 2015, recording his 100th appearance for the club in UEFA competitions when he came on as a substitute in a 1-1 away draw against FC Steaua București. In April 2016, Ilić scored two braces in two home league victories against Radnik Surdulica (3-2) and Mladost Lučani (4-0). He played the entire 90 minutes in the final of the 2015-16 Serbian Cup, where Partizan secured a 2-0 victory.
On June 10, 2016, Ilić extended his contract with Partizan for another year. He became the club's most capped player of all-time on October 22, 2016, making his 792nd appearance. On December 27, 2016, Ilić signed another contract extension that would keep him at the club until June 2018. He celebrated his second domestic double with the club in May 2017, marking his first as captain.
On November 5, 2017, Ilić became the oldest scorer in Serbian SuperLiga history by converting a penalty in a 3-1 away win against FK Mačva Šabac. He also scored a crucial 90th-minute goal in the second leg of the 2017-18 Serbian Cup semi-finals against FK Čukarički on May 9, 2018, helping Partizan win the tie on the away goals rule (aggregate score 4-4).
Saša Ilić played his last official match for Partizan on May 23, 2019, coming on as a late second-half substitute in a 1-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in the final of the 2018-19 Serbian Cup. This marked the end of his illustrious playing career with the club, which spanned over two decades, albeit with interruptions. During his time at Partizan, Ilić broke numerous club records; he registered a total of 873 games, surpassing the previous record held by Momčilo Vukotić. Furthermore, in a match against OFK Beograd on March 30, 2014, he scored his 119th goal in championship matches, thereby overtaking Stjepan Bobek to become the club's all-time leading scorer in league play.
4. International Career
Saša Ilić had previously been capped at under-21 level under both Milan Živadinović and Milovan Đorić. He made his full international debut for FR Yugoslavia under coach Ilija Petković on August 16, 2000, entering as a second-half substitute for Nenad Grozdić in a 2-1 away friendly victory against Northern Ireland. Subsequently, he was selected as the team's captain for the Millennium Super Soccer Cup in January 2001. Although he missed the final due to suspension, Ilić led the team with three goals in four games, as they ultimately won the trophy. However, these particular caps are not officially recognized by FIFA. His first official goal for the national team came on April 17, 2002, when he scored the opener in a 4-1 home friendly win against Lithuania.
During the FIFA World Cup 2002 qualifying stage under coach Dejan Savićević, Ilić made three appearances, all as a substitute. He also played in two of his team's UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying games, notably scoring the equalizer in a 1-1 home draw against Italy on September 10, 2003. Despite his contributions, the country failed to qualify for both the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 European Championship.
With the return of Ilija Petković at the helm of the national team, Ilić began receiving more consistent playing time. He made eight appearances in 2005, scoring once in a FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifier against Lithuania. On May 16, 2006, Ilić was named in the final 23-man squad to represent Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He appeared in the last match of the group stage, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring a goal against Ivory Coast in a thrilling 3-2 match, which was ultimately won by the opposition.
On August 16, 2006, Ilić played for the newly formed Serbia in their inaugural match against the Czech Republic. He also made two appearances in the team's unsuccessful UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying phase. After this, Ilić did not receive a national team call-up until March 2008, when Miroslav Đukić selected him for a friendly against Ukraine. His last international cap for Serbia came on September 6, 2008, in a FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifier against the Faroe Islands under coach Radomir Antić. Throughout his international career, Ilić was capped for his country under three different names: FR Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia, making a total of 37 appearances.
5. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Saša Ilić transitioned into football management, taking on various coaching roles at both youth and senior levels.
He began his coaching career within the Serbian national team setup, serving as an assistant coach for the Serbia national under-17 football team in 2019. He also took on head coaching responsibilities for the Serbia national under-16 football team from 2019 to 2020. During the same period, from 2019 to 2020, he worked as an assistant coach for the Serbia national under-21 football team. In 2021, he briefly served as an assistant coach for the senior Serbia national football team.
Ilić then moved into club management, starting with FK Čukarički, where he managed from August 17, 2021, to April 11, 2022. Subsequently, he was appointed manager of Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia on June 2, 2022, holding the position until July 28, 2023. His next managerial role was with Greek club Atromitos F.C., from October 24, 2023, to May 2, 2024.
On May 4, 2024, Ilić was appointed manager of the Russian Premier League club Pari Nizhny Novgorod. Under his guidance, Pari Nizhny Novgorod successfully avoided relegation by winning in the relegation play-offs. However, his tenure with the club concluded on October 5, 2024, when he left by mutual consent.
6. Statistics
6.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Partizan | 1996-97 | First League of FR Yugoslavia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | |
| 1997-98 | 25 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 0 | - | 36 | 8 | |||
| 1998-99 | 23 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 1 | - | 36 | 20 | |||
| 1999-00 | 32 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | - | 41 | 21 | |||
| 2000-01 | 30 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | - | 38 | 26 | |||
| 2001-02 | 28 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 34 | 12 | |||
| 2002-03 | First League of Serbia and Montenegro | 25 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | - | 35 | 13 | ||
| 2003-04 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | - | 25 | 8 | |||
| 2004-05 | 22 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 2 | - | 36 | 19 | |||
| Total | 200 | 98 | 32 | 15 | 50 | 14 | - | 282 | 127 | |||
| Celta (loan) | 2003-04 | La Liga | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 13 | 1 | |
| Galatasaray | 2005-06 | Süper Lig | 30 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 34 | 12 | |
| 2006-07 | 29 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 13 | ||
| Total | 59 | 22 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 76 | 25 | ||
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2007-08 | Austrian Bundesliga | 30 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 31 | 9 | |
| 2008-09 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | - | 5 | 1 | |||
| 2009-10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 6 | 0 | |||
| Total | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | - | 42 | 10 | |||
| Larissa (loan) | 2008-09 | Super League Greece | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 18 | 1 | |
| Partizan | 2009-10 | Serbian SuperLiga | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 15 | 3 | |
| 2010-11 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 1 | - | 42 | 3 | |||
| 2011-12 | 25 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | - | 36 | 5 | |||
| 2012-13 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | - | 37 | 5 | |||
| 2013-14 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | 34 | 5 | |||
| 2014-15 | 27 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | - | 43 | 3 | |||
| 2015-16 | 28 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | 41 | 6 | |||
| 2016-17 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 25 | 0 | |||
| 2017-18 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 0 | - | 31 | 2 | |||
| 2018-19 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 17 | 0 | |||
| Total | 224 | 28 | 33 | 3 | 64 | 1 | - | 321 | 32 | |||
| Career total | 547 | 158 | 75 | 18 | 129 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 752 | 196 | ||
6.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR Yugoslavia | 2000 | 4 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 6 | 1 | |
| Serbia and Montenegro | 2003 | 4 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 1 | |
| Serbia | 2006 | 3 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 37 | 4 | |
Scores and results list Serbia's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 April 2002 | Smederevo Stadium, Smederevo | Lithuania | 1-0 | 4-1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 10 September 2003 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade | Italy | 1-1 | 1-1 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualification |
| 3 | 3 September 2005 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade | Lithuania | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 21 June 2006 | Allianz Arena, Munich | Ivory Coast | 2-0 | 2-3 | 2006 FIFA World Cup |
6.3. Managerial Statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games managed | Games won | Games drawn | Games lost | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Winning percentage | ||||
| Čukarički | Serbia | 17 August 2021 | 11 April 2022 | 12|11|4|45|21|24|44.44 | |||||||
| CSKA Sofia | Bulgaria | 2 June 2022 | 28 July 2023 | 31|9|7|77|26|51|65.96 | |||||||
| Atromitos | Greece | 24 October 2023 | 2 May 2024 | 10|11|8|43|41|2|34.48 | |||||||
| Nizhny Novgorod | Russia | 4 May 2024 | 5 October 2024 | 4|5|13|21|46|-25|18.18 | |||||||
| Total | 58|35|33|186|134|52|46.03 | ||||||||||
7. Honours
Saša Ilić achieved numerous team and individual accolades throughout his distinguished playing career, particularly with FK Partizan, and later added managerial achievements.
Partizan
- First League of FR Yugoslavia: 1998-99, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05
- FR Yugoslavia Cup: 1997-98, 2000-01
- Serbian SuperLiga: 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2016-17
- Serbian Cup: 2010-11, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
Galatasaray
- Süper Lig: 2005-06
Individual
- Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Season: 2012-13
8. Legacy and Assessment
Saša Ilić is widely regarded as a legendary figure at FK Partizan, where he spent the vast majority of his playing career across two stints. His profound impact on the club is underscored by his record-breaking achievements and his unwavering loyalty. He holds the distinction of being the most capped player in Partizan's history, with over 800 appearances in official and friendly matches, a feat that surpassed the long-standing record of Momčilo Vukotić. Ilić also holds the club record for most appearances in European club competitions, with 113 matches. His contribution to Partizan's success is further highlighted by the impressive 18 trophies he won with the Crno-beli, including 11 national championship titles and seven national cups. On March 30, 2014, in a match against OFK Beograd, he scored his 119th championship goal, thus overtaking Stjepan Bobek to become Partizan's all-time leading league scorer. His sustained excellence and leadership for over a decade cemented his status as a club icon.
Beyond his statistical records, Ilić was admired by fans, the Grobari, for his dedication, leadership, and skillful play as an attacking midfielder. He consistently provided key goals and assists, earning him the affectionate moniker of "captain" and "idol." His influence extended beyond the pitch, as he became a symbol of the club's resilience and enduring spirit.
While primarily celebrated for his positive contributions, Ilić's career was not without minor controversy. During his time at FC Red Bull Salzburg, he faced a suspension in September 2009 due to alleged betting activities against his own team in a UEFA Europa League game. While he denied betting against Salzburg, he admitted to placing bets on other matches, an incident that briefly shadowed his otherwise stellar reputation. Despite this, his overall legacy remains overwhelmingly positive, defined by his prolific career at Partizan and his lasting mark on Serbian football.