Boban Babunski (; born 5 May 1968) is a Macedonian retired footballer who played as a central defender, and a coach.
Club career Babunski was born in Skopje, SR Macedonia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On the club level he started playing with hometown's FK Vardar, then spent two seasons in Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia to become of the first Macedonians to compete in the A Football Group. After two solid years in the Spanish second division with Lleida he played the same time in Japan, at Gamba Osaka.
On 31 July 1998 Babunski was transferred to the Greek side, AEK Athens for a fee of 330 million drachmas. He failed to establish himself in the squad and on 28 July 1999 he was transferred to Logroñés.
Babunski retired professionally in 2001 at the age of 33, after stints with, Sint-Truiden and Chemnitzer FC – he left Germany in December 2000, signing with native FK Rabotnichki – the second and the last teams two also in the respective countries' second level.
International career Babunski was capped two times for Yugoslavia in 1991. Subsequently, during seven years, he played 23 matches and scored once for the newly formed Macedonia.
Managerial career Babunski began his coaching career as assistant in the Macedonian national side, under Slobodan Santrač. When the latter resigned on 23 August 2005 he was appointed interim manager but, on 17 February of the following year, Srečko Katanec took over the job on a permanent basis.
On 23 July 2009, Babunski was signed as head coach of Macedonian First Football League champions Rabotnichki, also from Skopje, winning the domestic cup in his sole season. Four years later he returned to the national team.
Personal life Babunski's sons, David and Dorian, are also footballers. The former played youth football with FC Barcelona, whilst the latter did the same at Real Madrid. Babunski's great-grandfather was Jovan Babunski, a Serbian Chetnik vojvoda.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFK Vardar1985–86First League60601986–871901901987–882312311988–891401401989–901511511990–91Second League3853851991–92First League267267Total1411414114CSKA Sofia1992–93A Football Group2222221993–94182182Total404404Lleida1994–95Segunda División3113111995–96311311Spain622622Gamba Osaka1996J1 League141403021119972352151307199810000010Total3866181528AEK Athens1998–99Super League Greece8080Logroñés1999–2000Segunda División330330Sint-Truiden1999–2000Belgian Pro League1010Chemnitzer FC2000–012. Bundesliga8181Rabotnichki2000–01Macedonian First Football League3131Career total30625618134831
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsYugoslavia199120Total20Macedonia199310199430199540199621199720199810199960200040Total231
References
External links Profile at MacedonianFootball.com
Yugoslavia national team data Macedonian national team data