Former Atlético manager Radomir Antić dead at 71

Radomir Antić, the coach of Atlético Madrid’s famous 1995/96 side, died Monday at age 71.

The Serbian won the double with the rojiblancos back in 1996 and would go on to manage the team again in later years. He also managed his native country until 2010 before moving to China. He had not coached since 2015.

Antić had a long, storied career as a coach and spent time on the bench at Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Zaragoza and others. But Atlético fans remember him most fondly for guiding the team to a league and cup double nearly 25 years ago.

Atlético finished ahead of Valencia that season and beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, with a 102nd minute winner from countryman Milinko Pantić.

Antić returned in 1998 to save Atlético from relegation, and he did just that. In nine games, Atlético lost five, drew two, and most importantly won their last two against Celta Vigo and Real Madrid. He was called back in to do a similar job in 2000, but could not prevent the team from dropping down to Segunda. Atlético drew 2-2 with Oviedo At the Carlos Tartiere with goals from Joan Capdevila and Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink, but it was not enough.