Radi Antic, former Real Madrid, Atletico, Barcelona manager and Luton player, dies age 71

Antic is a former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid manager – and also played for English side Luton Town during the 1980s
REUTERS
Richard Parry7 April 2020

Radomir Antic, favourably known as Radi Antic, has died at the age of 71.

Antic is a former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid manager – and also played for English side Luton Town during the 1980s.

He enjoyed most of his success at the latter, guiding Atleti to the LaLiga and Copa del Rey double during the 1995-96 season.

Antic was the reason for one of the most iconic moments in English football in the 1980s. Tiny Luton were away at relegation rivals Manchester City on the last day of the 1982-83 and looked favourites to go down.

But with four minutes left he scored with a first-time shot from the edge of the box - sparking a clearly overwhelmed beige-suited Luton manager David Pleat to run, dance and skip his way on to the pitch at the end of the game in disbelief and joy.

Antic had three separate spells in charge at Los Rojiblancos and become only one of two people to coach El Clasico rivals Real and Barca during their career - after Enrique Fernandez Viola.

A statement from Atletico's official Twitter account read: "The Atletico de Madrid family is mourning the passing of Radomir Antic, one of our legendary coaches. You will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace."

Antic, who had one cap for Yugoslavia, spent the final four years of his playing career at Luton before moving into coaching, which was mainly in Spain.

Luton tweeted: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Town legend Radomir Antic, at the age of 71. A true Hatters hero, for promotion and preventing relegation. The thoughts of all at Kenilworth Road are with his family and friends at this terribly sad time. Rest in peace, Raddy".

He started his managerial career at Real Zaragoza and also has two spells as Real Oviedo boss and a short stint at Celta Vigo.

Antic was in charge of the Serbia national team between 2008 and 2010 before finishing his career in China.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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