Ljubiša Tumbaković

Born in Belgrade's urban neighborhood of Dorćol, Tumbaković started out in the youth categories of Radnički Beograd in 1962. Two years later, he joined the youth ranks of Partizan. In 1970, with Tumbaković turning 18, he joined the senior squad. Although he didn't appear in any domestic league matches for Partizan, he did appear in 45 friendlies, scoring 6 goals. Tumbaković played for Vardar in the 1971–72 Yugoslav First League.

Partizan

Tumbaković started his management career with Partizan in 1992. Partizan were in the doldrums when Tumbaković took control, however he immediately brought success to Partizan by winning the league with them in his debut season. This was a feat that he would repeat five times during his first time with Partizan as well as winning three FR Yugoslavia Cups. These achievements caught the eye of AEK Athens F.C. who finished third in the league under Tumbaković's management.

Return to Partizan

Tumbaković returned to Partizan at the beginning of the 2000–01 season after a season away from the club and with the NATO attacks on Yugoslavia firmly behind the league, Tumbaković would continue establishing Partizan as one of the strongest teams in the league. However, despite more domestic success with Partizan where they won the 2001/02 league title European success was far more difficult to achieve. He would stand down from his position after almost a decade in charge of FK Partizan where he was one of the most successful coaches in Yugoslavian football history.

Shandong Luneng

In 2003, he would coach Saudi team Al Nassr for a short period. However, he quickly moved to Chinese team Shandong Luneng at the beginning of their 2004 league season. Tumbaković who was the second Serbian to manage Shandong after Slobodan Santrač, was to make a quick impression at the club when he won the Chinese FA Cup and took them second in league. Ljubiša would continue…

Manager

Partizan FR Yugoslavia First League: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2001–02 FR Yugoslavia Cup: 1993–94, 1997–98, 2000–01 Shandong Luneng Chinese Super League: 2006, 2008 Chinese FA Cup: 2004, 2006 Individual Serbian Coach of the Year: 2006