ABOUT ME
Playing career
Born and raised in Pirot, Yugoslavia, he began his footballing career in 1978 with Belgrade-based FK Partizan. In 1980, he moved to France and more accurately to Dieppe where he began playing for FC Dieppe.
Yugoslavia
He began his professional footballing career in the year 1986 with Yugoslav Premier League and his hometown based side FK Radnički Pirot. In 1987, he moved to Belgrade where he signed a one-year contract with another Yugoslav Premier League side OFK Beograd.
Portugal
He first moved out of Yugoslavia in 1988 to Portugal where he signed a two-year contract with Segunda Liga side Moreirense F.C. In 1990, he moved to the city of Aveiro where he had a two-year stint with Primeira Liga side S.C. Beira-Mar, thus ending his professional footballing career as the Serbian met with a car accident later.
Managerial career
Darko holds the UEFA A Licence, the second highest football coaching qualification. He received the UEFA A Licence in 2009 from the Football Association of Serbia.
Yugoslavia
He began his managerial career in 2000 with the U-19 team of his former club, FK Partizan where he worked as an assistant to Serbian football manager, Zvonko Živković, helping his side clinch the trophy of the U-19 championship of Yugoslavia.
In 2001, he moved to Belgrade where he was appointed as the head coach of the U-18 team of his former club, OFK Belgrade. He helped his side secure the 3rd position in the 2001-02 U-18 championship of Yugoslavia.
Later in 2002, he moved back to his hometown, Pirot, where he was appointed as the head coach of his former club and Yugoslav Second League side, FK Radnički Pirot. He helped his club qualify for the Quarter-finals stage of the Yugoslav Cup in 2002.
France
He first moved out of Yugoslavia as a football manager in 2004 to France and more accurately to Avion where he was appointed as the head coach of Championnat de France Amateur side, CS Avion.
Serbia
In 2006, he moved to Serbia where he signed a one-year contract to be appointed as the head coach of Meridian Prva Liga (now known as Serbian SuperLiga) side, FK Hajduk Kula.
France
He moved back to France in 2007 and began working as a scout for Ligue 1 side, FC Metz.
Algeria
In 2008, he again moved out of Serbia and this time to North Africa and more accurately to Algeria where he was appointed as the head coach of Algerian giants, ES Sétif.
Later in 2008, he moved to Constantine where he was appointed as the head coach of Algeria's oldest football club, CS Constantine.
In January 2009, he began coaching another Constantine-based side, MO Constantine and helped them secure the 5th position in the championship.
He was also awarded the Best Manager of the Season award at the end of the 2008-09 season.
Indonesia
In 2010, he again moved out of Serbia and this time to Indonesia where he was appointed as the head coach of Indonesia Super League side, Persib Bandung on a one-year deal which was believed to be the most expensive deal of the season in Indonesia football.
Bahrain
He moved to the Middle East and more accurately to Bahrain in July 2012, where he was appointed as the head coach of Bahraini Premier League side, East Riffa Club on a one-year contract.
Indonesia
In January 2013, he moved back to Indonesia where he was appointed as the Technical director-cum-manager of Indonesia Super League side, Pelita Bandung Raya during 2 months.In mars 2013 became a new Manager Head Coach and save the club after the catastrophic start in the Indonesia Super League.
Algeria
In 2014, he moved back to Algeria and more accurately to Larbaâ where he began coaching Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side, RC Arbaâ.
Oman
In January 2016, he again made a move to the Middle East and this time to Oman where on 23 January, he was appointed as the head coach of Sohar-based Oman Professional League side, Sohar SC for the remaining of the 2015–16 Oman Professional League season. In his short but successful stint at the Sohar-based side, he helped them finish at the fifth position in the 2015–16 season and also helped them secure the runners-up position in the 2015–16 Oman Professional League Cup, which are the club's best ever performances in both the competitions, respectively.
Algeria
In November 2018, he had been called by President of Ain M'lila to save the club in difficult situation in Premier League. The challenge was not easy, but he accepted it to save the club.
