Milorad Kosanović, aged 75, has passed away; an era of Dalian football memories will never fade.

By Duan Li On January 4, 2026, Milorad Kosanović, aged 75, passed away on his birthday. He holds the record for the most matches coached by a foreigner in China’s top league (184) and is celebrated for guiding Shide to a three-peat championship (2000-2002). Though time has passed, the memories remain clear.

In the summer of 1999, when Kosanović’s agent found him in Novi Sad, he was almost unrecognizable, having gained 10 kilograms—at that time, NATO was bombing Yugoslavia, and football was halted. Kosanović’s daily routine was just eating and sleeping. “Can you imagine? Potatoes and bed—that was my life.” He later recalled with a serious expression, “I couldn’t go anywhere during those times. In such extraordinary circumstances, what could people dream of? No one knew if they’d live or die tomorrow. Living in the moment was all that mattered.”

Kosanović said that period taught him to learn how to enjoy life. As Sun Jihai described while remembering him, he was “a very carefree and life-loving old man.”

Before the agent arrived, Kosanović had already received a call from the head of a Beijing film and culture company, saying a smaller club in China wanted to hire him and asked if he was interested. At that time, Kosanović was with Red Star but only as a manager; his dream was to be the head coach of Red Star, like Petar.

Kosanović consulted with national team coach Boksic and then replied, “I’m free anyway and want to escape this place; it’s too dull. But I can only sign a five-month contract.” He was 46 then. Although China was often mentioned to him, it was unfamiliar territory, but as Boksic said, “This is an opportunity.”

Kosanović arrived with the Red Star name and told the media he aimed to earn 18 to 20 points to help Red Card K avoid relegation. His tactics were offensive and entertaining, but the team was essentially “heading to its doom.”

In 12 matches, Kosanović only won 2 games, but he caught the attention of big clubs.

At season’s end, Red Card K was relegated, but before that, Kosanović had received three offers: from Shenhua, Guoan, and Wanda. Initially, negotiations with Shenhua were nearly complete, but Shanghai’s side demanded a “championship clause,” which angered Kosanović. “Football can’t promise anything because it’s impossible to guarantee. Anyone who promises a championship is a liar.”

Joining Wanda was due to Wang Jianlin’s sincerity; after four meetings, Wang said winning one more or one less championship didn’t matter because Wanda had already won four. The priority was to build a system and develop players, and of course, the style had to be attractive. Although Kosanović raised his salary twice, Wang was not upset, believing a good coach was worth it. With Dalian’s support, both sides finally agreed.

Unexpectedly, in 2000, Wanda changed its name, and Shide took over Dalian football. Kosanović was initially anxious, but new owner Xu Ming said, “I recognize all contracts signed by Mr. Wang; they are valid.” At Shide, Kosanović thrived. He was smart and tough, often arguing with everyone and even referees, but he understood human nature. He had different approaches and words for veterans and youngsters, but maintained good relationships with all.

According to Zhang Enhua’s memories, Kosanović would arrive 30 minutes before training and chat with players—never about football. “Players trusted this approach and opened their hearts,” said another Shide player.

Kosanović greatly respected Xu Ming, once saying, “Xu Ming is the best boss.” Before signing Janković, Kosanović told Xu, “He’s a good player, one million dollars, no trial.” Xu slammed the table and said, “Buy him.”

At Shide, Kosanović won three consecutive league titles and other honors, gaining pride among former Yugoslav coaches. However, his fame and credentials were less than Petar and Sentrac. An agent specializing in former Yugoslav football said Kosanović was only China’s smartest foreign coach. Kosanović once asked him repeatedly, “Why don’t you think I’m the best foreign coach in China?”

Indeed, at that time, Kosanović believed he was the best, even compared to Milu who led the national team to the World Cup. When China performed poorly in the Korea-Japan World Cup, he said, “The only reason Dalian won consecutive championships while China failed at the World Cup is that Dalian’s coach was Kosanović, and China’s coach was Milu.” Kosanović and Milu clashed multiple times; when Li Ming was dropped from the World Cup squad, Kosanović even called Milu to criticize him directly...

Regarding success, Kosanović said there was no secret, but if anything, it was “professionalism” — having professional skills in football and professional understanding of the game.

In 2003, Kosanović faced difficulties. Under Shide’s shadow, the team only finished third in the league, and the club told him they wouldn’t renew his contract—besides performance, salary was an issue. Wanda had signed him for three years at a base of $500,000 with a 15% annual increase; renewal required over $800,000, which even Shide couldn’t accept.

But since no suitable successor was found, Shide had to recall Kosanović. However, he had already lost enthusiasm—before the second round of the league, when Shide traveled to play Shandong, the coach “disappeared.” Calls went unanswered, and team leader Lin Lefeng only received a text after arriving in Jinan that Kosanović was in Beijing and “wanted to go home.”

Wanda gave a polite excuse, “His son was sick,” but in reality, he returned to compete for the Red Star coaching position. Since Shide and Kosanović hadn’t signed a contract then, there was no binding agreement. Unfortunately, Kosanović did not get the job.

Afterwards, Kosanović tried several times to return to Shide but failed. In late 2007, he took over Red Star, invited Janković, and even sent a fitness coach to help, which upset Shide.

Despite this, Kosanović had three stints at Shide, experiencing both championship battles and relegation fights, but mostly enjoying happiness and glory there. His later time in Shaanxi was far less successful.

Besides Wuhan, Dalian, and Shaanxi, Kosanović once had a chance to coach the Chinese national team.

One rumor says that after Horton’s failure in the final qualifying round, the Chinese Football Association considered Kosanović and sent Li Xiaoguang and Mark to watch a match he coached in Wuhan. In that game, Red Card K suffered a 0-4 home defeat to TEDA, and both shook their heads. Later, it was said if Red Card K had drawn, Milu might never have become coach.

Also, after the 2002 World Cup, the association considered Milu’s successor, with Kosanović on the shortlist. He was interested but lost out to Arie Haan, leaving Kosanović disappointed.

In 2016, when the Chinese Football Association conducted a global search for the national team coach, Kosanović applied, but Gao Hongbo was chosen.

After 2023, Kosanović gradually distanced himself from football and faded from Chinese football’s memory until the sad news arrived on January 4.

At 3 p.m. local time on January 9, Kosanović will be buried at Novi Sad City Cemetery. In Dalian, Kosanović defined an era with one championship after another. Now that he has passed, those memories have not faded but remain as vivid as youthful recollections.