Mihailo Petrović

Early Life and Background

Mihailo "Mischa" Petrović is a Serbian football coach and former player, known for his significant contributions to the sport both on and off the field. He was born in Serbia and has also acquired an Austrian passport, reflecting his diverse background. As a midfielder, Petrović began his professional playing career at FK Rad, where he played from 1974 to 1976, before moving to FK Crvena zvezda from 1977 to 1979. His journey continued at NK Olimpija Ljubljana, where he played until 1984, and then at GNK Dinamo Zagreb for a brief period before joining SK Sturm Graz, where he played from 1985 to 1993. He also had a brief stint with the Yugoslavia national team, earning a cap in a World Cup qualification match against Italy in 1980.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, Petrović transitioned into coaching, starting with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan in June 2006. His coaching career saw immediate success as he led the team to the final of the Emperor's Cup in his first full season, although they were relegated to J2. However, they bounced back spectacularly, winning the J.League Division 2 title in 2008 with a remarkable 100 points. Petrović's coaching prowess continued to shine as he guided Sanfrecce to a 4th-place finish in J1, qualifying for the AFC Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

In December 2011, he took over Urawa Red Diamonds, where he enjoyed a successful tenure, winning the J.League Cup in 2016. After a series of managerial roles, including a notable stint at Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, where he became the first foreign manager to achieve 200 wins in J1 and broke the record for most games coached in J1 League history, Petrović was appointed as the manager of Nagoya Grampus in December 2025, marking another chapter in his illustrious career.