Who is Safet Sušić: From national idol to the most hated figure in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The era of Safet Sušić, one of the best footballers of all time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has ended. But despite that title of the best, the fate of a coach is such that they are the first to be removed when things go wrong, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, something has not been right since the World Cup appearance, writes the Patria news agency.

However, despite the inglorious end on the bench of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, Safet Sušić will be remembered as the coach who first led our country to a major competition – the World Cup in Brazil.

Sušić ended his playing career in 1992 at the age of 37, and according to his words, the only unfulfilled wish in his career was to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sušić was unanimously appointed as the new selector of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian national team at the session of the Executive Board of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina held on December 29, 2009, and he was also unanimously dismissed.

After Bosnia and Herzegovina's victory over Lithuania on October 15, 2013, and direct qualification for the World Cup, Sušić became the first selector to lead Bosnia and Herzegovina to the World Cup.

Many warn that Sušić, as a hero, should have left the BiH bench immediately after the World Cup, but he wanted to stay and the Executive Board respected that; however, the plans did not materialize and Sušić did not fulfill the goal.

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT PAPE

Miroslav Ćiro Blažević: "Ćiro coached world-class players, but Safet Sušić is irreplaceable, one and only. He was an artist!

Bogdan Tanjević: Based on my football knowledge, I can say that Safet Sušić Pape was one of the most talented players in the world. I remember, for example, when he scored three goals in several matches for the then Yugoslavia national team. His talent was, in fact, visible from a mile away. His brother Sead was also an extremely talented footballer, but Safet, unlike him, had greater necessary self-control. Safet Sušić is, simply put, an extraordinary, great football ace.

Elvir Bolić: For me, he is truly the best footballer from our region of all time. When I was a boy, he was my football idol, and later I had the luck to meet him personally and see that he is equally a wonderful person, perhaps even better as a man than as a player. In any case, for me, the best player of all time and an exceptional person who truly makes everyone who knows him happy and proud.

Darko Pančev: It seemed to me that the rest of us players should pay to play on the same team as Pape. He was a treasure for any attack. The passes were incredible. Sometimes the ball would hit me without me even being aware of it. A fantastic player.