Bledar Devolli (born 15 January 1978) is an Albanian professional football coach and former player, who is the current head coach of Iliria in the Kategoria e dytë.

Bledar Devolli
Personal information
Date of birth (1978-01-15) 15 January 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth Gjirokastër, PSR Albania
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Luftëtari 44 (1)
1998–1999 Bylis 22 (1)
2000–2001 Luftëtari 33 (3)
2001–2002 Tirana 20 (1)
2002–2003 Vllaznia 24 (2)
2003–2004 Tomori 16 (0)
2004–2005 Lushnja 24 (3)
2005–2006 Elbasani 12 (1)
2006 Skënderbeu 15 (1)
2006–2007 Teuta 28 (2)
2007–2008 Partizani 21 (1)
2008–2010 Tirana 60 (4)
2010–2011 Flamurtari 23 (1)
2011–2012 Luftëtari 28 (1)
2012–2013 Shkumbini 11 (0)
2013 Partizani 12 (0)
Total 377 (22)
International career
1998–2000 Albania U21 8 (0)
2000 Albania 2 (0)
Managerial career
2014–2015 Luftëtari
2016 Kamza
2017 Bylis
2018 FC KEK
2018 Kamza
2018−2019 Tomori
2019 Kastrioti
2019−2020 Tirana U-19
2020−2021 Drenica
2022 Dinamo Tirana
2022 Turbina
2022 Akademia e Futbollit U-19
2023 Drenica
2023 Luzi 2008
2024 Kukësi
2024 LIRIA
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Devolli was released by the Flamurtari chairman Shpëtim Gjika on 19 July 2011, along with three other main players, Daniel Xhafaj, Sebino Plaku and Julian Ahmataj.[1]

He joined Shkumbini on 30 July 2012.[2]

International career

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Devolli was first introduced to the national team in 2000 when he was called up to participate in the 2000 Rothmans International Tournament. He made his debut on 6 February by playing in the first half of the opening match versus Andorra which finished in a comfortable 3–0 win.[3] His second appearance occurred two days later against Azerbaijan as Albania won 1–0.[4] In the last match Devolli was rested as Albania defeated hosts of Malta to secure the first place with nine points and the first title.[5]

Managerial career

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Devolli started his management career on 8 July 2014 as he became the new coach of his boyhood club Luftëtari for the 2014–15 season.[6] Following the goalless draw against Butrinti on 8 February 2015 which left the team in penultimate position in Albanian First Division, Devolli resigned from his post.[7] His decision was accepted by club board.[7]

On 28 January 2016, Devolli was appointed the new coach of Albanian First Division side Kamza.[8] He left the duty on 26 March of the following year.[9]

On 5 August 2017, Devolli joined fellow First Division side Bylis in their bid to achieve promotion to top flight.[10] He resigned on 4 October following the goalless draw against Turbina.[11]

He was appointed manager of relegation-threatened Kastrioti in January 2019.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Gjergji Stefa (19 July 2011). "Katër largime "big" në Vlorë!" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  2. ^ Bledar Devolli eshte afrimi i rradhes[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Football MATCH: 06.02.2000 Albania v Andorra". EU-Football.info. 6 February 2000. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Football MATCH: 08.02.2000 Albania v Azerbaijan". EU-Football.info. 8 February 2000. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Rothmans Tournament 2000 (Malta)". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  6. ^ Tomor Shehu (9 July 2014). "Devolli flet si trajner: Luftëtari, një sfidë!" [Devolli speaks as coach: Luftëtari, a challenge!] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  7. ^ a b Tomor Shehu (9 July 2014). "Luftëtari buzë greminës, trajneri Bledar Devolli jep dorëheqjen" [Luftëtari near downhill, coach Bledar Devolli resigns] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Zyrtare, Bledar Devolli trajneri i ri i Kamzës" [Official, Bledar Devolli the new coach of Kamza] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Foto/ Largohet Bledar Devolli, Kamza merr trajnerin e Superligës" [Photo/ Bledar Devolli leaves, Kamza takes the Superliga coach] (in Albanian). Newsport.al. 26 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Zyrtarizohet Bledar Devolli" [Bledar Devolli formalized] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Zyrtare, dorëhiqet Bledar Devolli" [Officia, Bledar Devolli resigns] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  12. ^ Devolli beson te mbijetesa: Ky grup më bind, me 4 afrime shtojmë konkurrencën - Panorama (in Albanian)
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