Shyqyri Rreli
Shyqyri Rreli (18 May 1930 – 31 December 2019) was an Albanian football player who spent the majority of his career with Dinamo Tirana, having previously played for KF Erzeni and Puna Tirana, which is the modern day KF Tirana. As a coach, he was most noted for being in charge of the Albanian national team between 1982 and 1985, and again between 1988 and 1989.[1] He has also managed Albania U21, 17 Nëntori, Teuta Durrës and Shkumbini Peqin.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Shyqyri Rreli | ||
| Date of birth | 18 May 1930 | ||
| Place of birth | Tiranë, Albania | ||
| Date of death | 31 December 2019 (aged 89) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1948 | Erzeni | ||
| 1949–1952 | Puna Tirana | ||
| 1953–1962 | Dinamo Tirana | ||
| National team‡ | |||
| 1957 | Albania | 1 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1961–1968 | Petro Nini Luarasi | ||
| 1968–19xx | Shkëndija Tiranë U19 | ||
| 19xx–19xx | Shkëndija | ||
| 1972–1982 | Albania U-21 | ||
| 1981–1985 | Albania | ||
| 1987–1990 | 17 Nëntori | ||
| 1987–1990 | Albania | ||
| 1993 | Teuta | ||
| 1994–1998 | KF Albanët | ||
| 1995 | Shkumbini | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of February 3, 2014 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of February 3, 2014 | |||
Playing career
Club
A relatively successful forward for KF Erzeni, Puna Tirana, and Dinamo Tirana[2] in the 1950s, he won four league titles with Dinamo Tirana.
Managerial career
Rreli peaked as a coach of Albania national under-21 football team, which he led to two straight titles of the Balkan Youth Championship (in 1978 and 1981) and to the quarter finals of the Euro 1984, where Albania U21 was among the best 8 European teams.[4]
As a coach, he won two straight Albania's titles in 1987-88 and 1988-89 with KF Tirana. He led Tirana to the best 16 in three European competitions (1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup, 1988–89 European Cup, and 1989–90 European Cup). As Albania national football team coach he will be remembered for getting Albania close to qualifying in the Mexico 1986 campaign, most notably through a victory against Belgium and draws against Poland and Greece.[4]
Personal life
He was the father in law of Mirel Josa, another footballer and coach who married Rreli's daughter Brunilda.[5]
Honours
- as a player
- Albanian Superliga: 4
- 1953, 1955, 1956, 1960 [6]
- Albanian Cup: 3
- as manager
- Albanian Superliga: 2
- 1988, 1989
For his achievements Rreli was awarded in 2007 the Mjeshter i Madh civil medal by then president of Albania Bamir Topi.[4]
References
- National team stats
- http://www.sot.com.al/intervista-sport/shyqyri-rreli-kjo-komb%C3%ABtare-ka-mund%C3%ABsin%C3%AB-t%C3%AB-na-b%C3%ABj%C3%AB-krenar%C3%AB-si-komb
- "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
- Gazeta Agon (30 December 2007). "Shyqyri Rreli, kampioni ballkanik i Shqipërisë". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- Profil, Mirel Josa / Nga Shpresa e mrekullive, te titulli i artë… - Sports Ekspres (in Albanian)
- Albania - Championship Winning Teams - RSSSF
- Shyqyri Rreli: Ëndrra shqiptare, “Meksika-86″… sa pranë! - Telegraf (in Albanian)