Branko Rašović (; 11 April 1942 – 11 October 2024) was a Yugoslav footballer who played as a defender.
Club career After joining his hometown club Budućnost Titograd as a trainee in 1957, Rašović was promoted to the first team and signed his first professional contract in 1960. He was part of the team that earned promotion to the Yugoslav First League in 1962, but was unable to help them avoid an immediate relegation.
Following the expiration of his contract with Budućnost, Rašović was acquired by Partizan in the summer of 1964, helping the side win the championship title in his debut season. He was also a regular member of the team that reached the 1966 European Cup final in Brussels, narrowly losing to Real Madrid. In total, Rašović spent five seasons with the Crno-beli, amassing 90 league appearances.
In June 1969, Rašović moved abroad to West Germany and signed with Borussia Dortmund, becoming the club's first foreign player. He recorded 79 appearances in the Bundesliga over three seasons, before the team suffered relegation in 1972, and subsequently played 30 more games for the Schwarzgelben in the Regionalliga over the next two seasons. After leaving Borussia, Rašović returned to his homeland and briefly played for lower league side Galenika Zemun.
International career At international level, Rašović was capped 10 times for Yugoslavia, making his national team debut on 1 April 1964 in a 1–0 friendly win over Bulgaria. He earned his final cap on 7 October 1967 in a Euro qualifier with West Germany, a 3–1 away loss.
Post-playing career After hanging up his boots, Rašović started working as an assistant manager to Ivan Čabrinović at Galenika Zemun. He returned to Partizan as an assistant to Josip Duvančić in the summer of 1979. After serving as an assistant to several other managers, including Tomislav Kaloperović and Ivica Osim, Rašović spent many years working within the FK Partizan Academy until his retirement in 2008.
Personal life Rašović is the father of fellow footballer Vuk Rašović.
Death Rašović died on 11 October 2024 at the age of 82. He was buried at the Belgrade New Cemetery.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueDivisionAppsGoalsBudućnost Titograd1960–61Yugoslav Second League301961–62Yugoslav Second League701962–63Yugoslav First League2201963–64Yugoslav Second League282Total602Partizan1964–65Yugoslav First League1701965–66Yugoslav First League2101966–67Yugoslav First League2401967–68Yugoslav First League601968–69Yugoslav First League220Total900Borussia Dortmund1969–70Bundesliga1501970–71Bundesliga3101971–72Bundesliga3301972–73Regionalliga1001973–74Regionalliga200Total1090Galenika Zemun1974–75Serbian League10Career total2602
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsYugoslavia196420196510196630196740Total100
Honours Budućnost Titograd Yugoslav Second League: 1961–62 (Group East) Partizan Yugoslav First League: 1964–65
References
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