After waiting eight years to take the reins of the first team, he seized the opportunity with enthusiasm!

For nearly a decade, Goran Miranović has been at the helm of the junior teams of Podgorica, a former first league club that has participated in Eurocups, while also being part of the senior team’s coaching staff.

When the second-league team from DG Arena found itself at rock bottom, close to relegation, Miranović was tasked with turning the situation around.

The outcome is well-known to those familiar with local club football—under new leadership, Podgorica managed to secure their place in the league through an impressive final series of results.

“It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to lead the senior team of the club where I’ve spent the last eight years. After successful seasons with youth categories, cadets, and serving as an assistant to the first team, it was only a matter of time until I took the helm. I might have hoped it wouldn’t take this long, but ultimately, everything has unfolded as it should,” Miranović shares.

When “Mira” took over five rounds before the end of the season, Podgorica was sitting at the bottom of the table. “The situation was dire, with the last two teams facing off against third-league opponents. I accepted the challenge, despite not being the first choice after the previous coach’s departure. I had faith in myself and the players, many of whom I knew well from my time in the youth teams. During the discussions, the sports department set a goal to maintain our second-league status—whether through playoffs or, ideally, direct survival. Many people had written us off, expecting us to end up in those playoffs,” Miranović explains.

In the final five matches, Podgorica achieved three wins, one draw, and just one loss to Grbalj in the last round, having already secured their status. “The players bore the heaviest burden and deserve all the credit for our success. I also want to highlight my assistant, Dragiša Vlahović. I’ve worked with him in youth national teams, and I consider him a highly promising coach, without whom this achievement would not have been possible.”

It began with a victory in a crucial match for survival against Ibar in Rožaje.

“Waking the team up after a string of poor results was challenging. However, I knew that these players were of a much higher quality than what the standings showed. After four matches, with favorable results from our direct competitors, we mathematically secured our survival one round before the season concluded.”

The hardest match was in Rožaje. “It was psychologically taxing—my first match was a do-or-die situation. We won, deserving the points despite the challenge. After a draw with Iskra, we played our best match of the extra round against a strong team, Lovćen, winning 5:1 and showcasing our potential. With the win against our neighbors, Mladost—who have already earned their spot in the First League, congrats to them—we completed the task at hand.”

Next comes a break, followed by preparations for the new season. Will Miranović continue at the helm?

“My contract is expiring, and now it’s up to the club. I’m open to continuing what I’ve started if I can reach a mutual agreement with the club’s management. Ultimately, this has been a valuable experience for my first role as a head coach in senior football,” Miranović concludes.

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