Amarildo Zela (born 25 August 1972) is an Albanian football manager and former player who is head coach of SG Waidhofen/Ybbs. An attacking midfielder, he played two games for the Albania national team in 1992 and in 1997.
Club career Zela was born in Tirana. He played in five different countries through his career, and playing for 14 different teams in the process. He started his footballing career with KF Partizani Tirana before moving to Germany with Oberliga Nord side VfL Osnabrück.VfL Osnabrück 1993–94. National-football-teams.com. Retrieved on 12 January 2012. His first experience abroad was only a short one as he only spent six months at the club before moving back to Albania with SK Tirana in January 1994. After a season and a half back in Albania Zela decided to move to Croatia and the 1.HNL for the first time with NK Neretva Metković.NK Neretva Metković 1995–1996. National-football-teams.com (25 August 1972). Retrieved on 12 January 2012. Zela then moved to HNK Šibenik the next season where he teamed up with former Partizani teammate Ylli Shehu.HNK Šibenik 1996–97. National-football-teams.com. Retrieved on 12 January 2012. It took just six months before his next move, this time i was to another Croatian club NK Vukovar '91NK Vukovar 1997–98. National-football-teams.com (25 August 1972). Retrieved on 12 January 2012. During his time with NK Vukovar Zela won promotion twiceNK Vukovar 1998–99. National-football-teams.com (25 August 1972). Retrieved on 12 January 2012. and teamed up with fellow Albanian Fatmir Vata for the 1999–2000 season after they were promoted to the top division in Croatia. He scored ten goals that season in the 1.HNL.NK Vukovar 1999-00. National-football-teams.com. Retrieved on 12 January 2012. After five seasons and four clubs in Croatia, Zela moved to Israel with second-tier side Hapoel Jerusalem F.C.Hapoel Jerusalem 2000–2001. National-football-teams.com. Retrieved on 12 January 2012.
International career Zela made his debut for Albania in a May 1992 FIFA World Cup qualification match away against the Republic of Ireland and earned a total of two caps, scoring no goals. His other international game was a June 1997 World Cup qualification match against Portugal.
Managerial and later career After three championship titles, 110 championship appearances and 101 goals for Vorwärts Steyr, Zela hung up his boots and became manager for the club's reserve team for the 2009–2010 season.Amarildo Zela beendet Karriere beim SK Vorwärts, ligaportal.at, 19 June 2009 However, he returned to the pitch for the upcoming season, signing with Austrian club Union WeißkirchenWeißkirchen verpflichtet Akif Imamovic und Amarildo Zela, ligaportal.at, 9 July 2010 and then ASKÖ Leonding in the summer 2011 at the age of 38.ASKÖ Leonding: Trainerwechsel nach Meistertitel, ligaportal.at, 5 August 2011 However, only one month later, he became manager of Union Pregarten.Landesliga Ost: Naarn mischt weiter vorne mit, nachrichten.at, 17 September 2011
On 25 September 2012, Zela was appointed manager of WSC Hertha Wels.Trainerwechsel bei WSC/Hertha, meinbezirk.at, 25 September 2012 In the summer 2014, Zela returned SK Vorwärts Steyr, once again as a player-manager for the club's reserve team.2. Klasse Ost | 1b siegt bei Zela-Comeback , vorwaerts-steyr.at, 2 November 2014
In May 2017, 44-year-old Zela made comeback at the pitch for ASV Kleinreifling.Ex-Teamspieler kickt in der 2. Klasse Ost, tips.at, 16 May 2017 Zela became in charge of Austrian lower league side ASKÖ Steinbach Schwertberg in 2017Schwertberg-Coach Amarildo Zela als Wahlvorschlag der Jahrhundert-Elf von SK Vorwärts Steyr - Mein Bezirk but left the club in July 2019.PAUKENSCHLAG IN FUßBALL-SCHWERTBERG: "Meister-Macher" Zela wird von Franz Schützenberger abgelöst! - Mein Bezirk He then took the reins at FC Wels.Amarildo Zela übernimmt beim FC Wels - FC Wels
In the summer 2020, Zela became the head coach of SG Waidhofen/Ybbs.WAIDHOFEN WECHSELT DEN TRAINER, meinfussball.at, 10 June 2020
Honours Albanian Superliga: 1993, 1995Albania - Championship Winning Teams - RSSSF
References
External links
Profile at Hrrepka