Hajduk's Forgotten Great: Mićun Jovanić
Alongside Jerković and Hlevnjak, he formed a midfield triangle of magnificent play and was part of four league titles and five consecutive cup wins.
Alongside Jerković and Hlevnjak, he formed a midfield triangle of magnificent play and was part of four league titles and five consecutive cup wins.
It has been 16 long years since the death of Mićun Jovanić, a footballer whose name rarely emerges from the shadows of oblivion, yet he deserves a permanent place among Hajduk's greats. Born on July 29, 1952, in Split, Jovanić passed away on July 26, 2010, in Kaštel Gomilica, leaving behind a career that marked one of the most glorious periods in the Split club's history.
Jovanić was a midfielder of refined style, comparable to Jurica Jerković. The two, along with Ivica Hlevnjak, formed a midfield triangle that delighted fans during the championship-winning season of 1970/71 under coach Slavko Luštica. According to Slobodna Dalmacija, this trio was a precursor to the famous French trio of Platini, Giresse, and Tigana, as all three could do anything with the ball.
Although Jerković had a more notable international career, Jovanić showed enviable longevity and versatility. Coaches often used him closer to goal, as a striker, even though he possessed the qualities of a playmaker and game creator. His passion for cigarettes and frequent muscle injuries did not prevent him from leaving a deep mark.
He played for Hajduk from 1969 to 1981 and made a key contribution to winning all four league titles and all five consecutive cups that the club won during that time. Particularly memorable are his goals against Red Star Belgrade at Marakana, where Hajduk celebrated a 2:1 victory, a win that proved decisive in the spring of 1975 for another league title.
He was a favorite of legendary coach Tomislav Ivić, who took him to Belgian club Anderlecht in the spring of 1982. However, Jovanić did not stay there long. He continued his career in France, and after his playing days, he dedicated himself to coaching in the Dalmatian region, where he was recognized as a gifted expert.
Death came too early, at just 58 years old. As noted, he had a true footballing nerve both as a player and as a coach, and his contribution to Hajduk's history remains indelible.
