Full name Shyqyri Rreli Years Team 1949-1951 Puna Tirana | Place of birth Tirane, Albania 1948-1949 KF Erzeni Name Shyqyri Rreli | |
Date of birth (1930-05-18) 18 May 1930 (age 85) | ||
Shyqyri Rreli (born in 1930) is a former Albanian football player for who spent the majority of his career with Dinamo Tirana, having previously played for KF Erzeni and Puna Tirana, which is the modern day KF Tirana. As a coach he is most noted for being in charge of the Albanian national team between 1982 and 1985 and again between 1988 and 1999. He has also managed Albania U21, KF Tirana, Teuta Durres and Shkumbini Peqin.
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Career
A relatively successful forward for KF Erzeni, Puna Tirana and Dinamo Tirana as a player in the 1960s, Rreli peaked as a coach of Albania national under-21 football team, which he led to two straight titles of the Balkan Youth Championship (in 1978 and 1981) and to the quarter finals of the Euro 1984, where Albania U21 was among the best 8 European teams.
In his career he played mostly for Dinamo. As a coach he won two straight Albania's titles in 1987-88 1988-89 with KF Tirana. He led Tirana remarkably three times to the best 16 in three European competitions (1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup, 1988–89 European Cup, and 1989–90 European Cup). As Albania national football team coach he will be remembered for getting Albania close to qualifying in the Mexico 1986 campaign, most notably through a victory against Belgium and draws against Poland and Greece.
For his achievements Rreli was awarded in 2007 the Mjeshter i Madh civil medal by then president of Albania Bamir Topi.
Personal life
He is the father in law of Mirel Josa, another famous footballer and coach.