View source for Veljko Paunović

{{Short description|Serbian footballer and manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Veljko Paunović 
| image = Veljko Paunović 2017 crop.jpg
| caption = Paunović managing [[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]] in 2017
| full_name = Veljko Paunović<ref name=Profile>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/196/3780.html|title=Veljko PAUNOVIC|newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|language=es|access-date=9 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213063456/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/196/3780.html|archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|8|21|df=yes}}<ref name=Profile/>
| birth_place = [[Strumica]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFR Yugoslavia]]<ref name=Profile/>
| height = 1.84 m<ref name=Profile/>
| position = [[Attacking midfielder]], [[striker (association football)|striker]]
| currentclub = [[Real Oviedo|Oviedo]] (manager)
| youthyears1 = 1983–1994 | youthclubs1 = [[FK Partizan|Partizan]]
| years1 = 1994–1995 | clubs1 = [[FK Partizan|Partizan]] | caps1 = 13 | goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1995–2002 | clubs2 = [[Atlético Madrid]] | caps2 = 52 | goals2 = 9
| years3 = 1995–1996 | clubs3 = → [[CA Marbella|Marbella]] (loan) | caps3 = 20 | goals3 = 2
| years4 = 1996–1998 | clubs4 = [[Atlético Madrid B]] | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 11
| years5 = 1998–1999 | clubs5 = → [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] (loan) | caps5 = 24 | goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2001 | clubs6 = → [[Real Oviedo|Oviedo]] (loan) | caps6 = 22 | goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2001–2002 | clubs7 = → [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] (loan) | caps7 = 33 | goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2002–2003 | clubs8 = [[CD Tenerife|Tenerife]] | caps8 = 38 | goals8 = 18
| years9 = 2003–2005 | clubs9 = [[Atlético Madrid]] | caps9 = 35 | goals9 = 6
| years10 = 2005 | clubs10 = [[Hannover 96]] | caps10 = 6 | goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2005–2007 | clubs11 = [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] | caps11 = 44 | goals11 = 10
| years12 = 2007 | clubs12 = [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]] | caps12 = 16 | goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2008 | clubs13 = [[UD Almería|Almería]] | caps13 = 7 | goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2008 | clubs14 = [[FK Partizan|Partizan]] | caps14 = 9 | goals14 = 1
| years15 = 2011 | clubs15 = [[Philadelphia Union]] | caps15 = 17 | goals15 = 3
| totalcaps = 358 | totalgoals = 76
| nationalyears1 = 2002–2004 | nationalteam1 = [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]] | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 1
| manageryears1 = 2012–2014 | managerclubs1 = [[Serbia national under-18 football team|Serbia U18]]
| manageryears2 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs2 = [[Serbia national under-19 football team|Serbia U19]]
| manageryears3 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs3 = [[Serbia national under-20 football team|Serbia U20]]
| manageryears4 = 2015–2019 | managerclubs4 = [[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]]
| manageryears5 = 2020–2022 | managerclubs5 = [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]
| manageryears6 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs6 = [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]]
| manageryears7 = 2024–2025 | managerclubs7 = [[Tigres UANL]]
| manageryears8 = 2025– | managerclubs8 = [[Real Oviedo|Oviedo]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}} 
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|SRB}}}} <small>(as manager)</small>
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup|2015]]|}}
}}
'''Veljko Paunović''' ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Вељко Пауновић}}, {{IPA|sh|ʋěːʎko paǔ:noʋitɕ|pron}}; born 21 August 1977) is a Serbian [[Association football|football]] [[Manager (association football)|manager]] and former player. He is the head coach of [[La Liga]] club [[Real Oviedo]].

A versatile attacking unit, he could operate as an [[attacking midfielder]] or a [[striker (association football)|striker]], and spent most of his professional career in Spain where he represented eight clubs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rednationonline.ca/InsidetheMLSVeljkoPaunovic.aspx|title=Inside the MLS: Veljko Paunovic|publisher=[[RedNation Online]]|last=Vujcic|first=Djuradj|date=29 March 2012|access-date=30 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123160753/http://www.rednationonline.ca/InsidetheMLSVeljkoPaunovic.aspx|archive-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> amassing [[La Liga]] totals of 212 matches and 38 goals over 11 seasons and having several spells with [[Atlético Madrid]]. Other than in his own country, he also played in Germany, Russia and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/ojala-siga-el-cholo-pero-me-gustaria-ver-a-luis-enrique-en-el-atletico-de-madrid-n/|title=Veljko Paunovic: "Ojalá siga el Cholo, pero me gustaría ver a Luis Enrique en el Atlético de Madrid"|trans-title=Veljko Paunovic: "Hopefully Cholo will continue, but I would like to see Luis Enrique at Atlético de Madrid"|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|last=Herrán|first=Alfonso|language=es|date=11 December 2022|access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref> 

Paunović began working as a manager in 2012, starting with [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]]'s youth teams and later being in charge of [[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]], [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]], [[Tigres UANL]] and Oviedo.

==Club career==
Born in [[Strumica]], [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]], Paunović made his professional debut at 17 with [[FK Partizan|Partizan]]. The following summer he moved to Spain, where he would stay for most of the following decade playing for a host of clubs,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01a9-0f84718c20d5-929958db8725-1000--paunovic-poised-for-getafe-switch/|title=Paunovic poised for Getafe switch|publisher=UEFA|date=10 May 2005|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref> starting in the [[1995–96 Segunda División|1995–96 season]] with modest [[CA Marbella|Marbella]] and reaching the [[1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] final with [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] (with whom he scored five league goals in [[1998–99 La Liga|that campaign]], to help the [[Balearic Islands]] team finish third),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1999/05/20/deportes/927151201_850215.html|title=El Mallorca pierde con orgullo|trans-title=Mallorca lose proudly|newspaper=[[El País]]|last=Segurola|first=Santiago|language=es|date=20 May 1999|access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdm.es/entrevista-a-veljko-paunovic/|title=Paunovic: "Cumplí varios sueños en el Mallorca, y estaré agradecido eternamente"|trans-title=Paunovic: "I fulfilled several dreams with Mallorca, and I'll thank them forever"|publisher=RCDM|last=Mazarrasa|first=Gonzalo|language=es|date=6 August 2009|access-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905112917/http://www.rcdm.es/entrevista-a-veljko-paunovic/|archive-date=5 September 2009}}</ref> as well as having three separate stints with [[Atlético Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01a5-0f846514e77d-313e0fa635e2-1000--atletico-and-paunovic-part-company/|title=Atlético and Paunovic part company|publisher=UEFA|date=24 January 2005|access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref>

Paunović had his best year in [[2002–03 Segunda División|2002–03]] with [[CD Tenerife|Tenerife]] in the [[Segunda División]], netting 18 times from 38 appearances although the [[Canary Islands|insular]] side could only rank eighth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/futbol/pichichi02_03_segunda.html|title=Jesús Perera, Pichichi 2003 en Segunda|trans-title=Jesús Perera, 2003 ''Pichichi'' in ''Segunda''|newspaper=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]|language=es|date=29 June 2003|access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref> After a return to Atlético and a brief stay in Germany with [[Hannover 96]], he joined [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] for [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06's top flight]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccma.cat/324/El-Getafe-de-Schuster-es-reforca-amb-el-davanter-serbi-Veljko-Paunovic/noticia/95398/#|title=El Getafe de Schuster es reforça amb el davanter serbi Veljko Paunovic|trans-title=Schuster's Getafe bolster with Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic|publisher=[[Televisió de Catalunya]]|language=ca|date=18 July 2005|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref> enjoying his finest season in [[La Liga]] by scoring ten goals in 30 league matches to help the [[Madrid]] outskirts club to the ninth place. Due to the years spent in the country, he received a [[Spanish nationality law|Spanish passport]] in 2006.<ref name=Passport>{{cite news|url=http://web.eldia.es/2008-01-19/jornada/jornada42.htm|title=Paunovic ficha por el Almería|trans-title=Paunovic signs for Almería|newspaper=[[El Día (Canary Islands)|El Día]]|language=es|date=19 January 2008|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref>

Paunović was signed by [[Russian Premier League]]'s [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]] in March 2007, after falling out of favour with Getafe coach [[Bernd Schuster]]. The following year, he agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with [[UD Almería|Almería]] in January.<ref name=Passport/> His debut was a sour one, playing 20 minutes [[Substitute (association football)|off the bench]] against [[Racing de Santander]] in a 1–0 away defeat, while also receiving two yellow cards in one minute (with the consequent [[Ejection (sports)|dismissal]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ideal.es/almeria/20080225/deportes/ud-almeria/paunovic-indignante-esto-suceda-20080225.html?redirect=1|title=Paunovic: "Es muy indignante que esto suceda en el fútbol español"|trans-title=Paunovic: "It's outrageous this can happen in Spanish football"|newspaper=[[Ideal (newspaper)|Ideal]]|last=Gutiérrez|first=José Gabriel|language=es|date=25 February 2008|access-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229141352/http://www.ideal.es/almeria/20080225/deportes/ud-almeria/paunovic-indignante-esto-suceda-20080225.html?redirect=1|archive-date=29 February 2012}}</ref> He would score on two occasions towards [[2007–08 La Liga|the season]]'s end, in a 4–2 away loss to former team Getafe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226503?cc=5739|title=Getafe 4–2 Almeria|publisher=[[ESPN FC|ESPN Soccernet]]|date=7 May 2008|access-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026114818/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226503?cc=5739|archive-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> and in the last matchday, a 3–1 victory at [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/241326?cc=5739|title=Espanyol 1–3 Almeria|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=18 May 2008|access-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026114839/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/241326?cc=5739|archive-date=26 October 2012}}</ref>

On 12 July 2008, Paunović signed a two-year deal with his former club Partizan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodealmeria.es/deportes/Paunovic-ficha-Partizan_0_167983600.html|title=Paunovic ficha por el Partizán|trans-title=Paunovic signs for Partizan|newspaper=[[Diario de Almería]]|last=Mirón|first=Guillermo|language=es|date=14 July 2008|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref> On 13 August, he scored in a 2–2 draw with Turkey's [[Fenerbahçe S.K.|Fenerbahçe]] in the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|third qualifying round]] of the [[UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01d0-0e6fa31fd37a-fdd0aa219bc5-1000--fenerbahce-fightback-foils-partizan/|title=Fenerbahçe fightback foils Partizan|publisher=UEFA|date=13 August 2008|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref> Before the end of the year, however, he announced his decision to retire from the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/es/news/1910/entrevistas/2010/12/15/2260235/entrevista-paunovic-quiero-la-mentalidad-ganadora-de|title=Entrevista Paunovic: "Quiero la mentalidad ganadora de Mourinho, y la lucidez de Guardiola"|trans-title=Paunovic interview: "I want Mourinho's winner mindset, and Guardiola's lucidity"|publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]|last=Loaiza|first=Alfonso|language=es|date=15 December 2010|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>

On 29 June 2009, Paunović went on trial with the [[New York Red Bulls]], but eventually turned down the one-year contract offer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/07/23/2009-07-23_red_bulls_eye_serbian_forward.html|title=Red Bulls eyeing Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic|newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]|last=Lewis|first=Michael|date=22 July 2009|access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref> In June 2011, after nearly three years out of football, the 33-year-old signed a deal with another American club, [[Philadelphia Union]], after a trial stint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/06/union-sign-serbian-forward-veljko-paunovi%C4%87|title=Union sign Serbian forward Veljko Paunović|publisher=Philadelphia Union|date=13 June 2011|access-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615161010/http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/06/union-sign-serbian-forward-veljko-paunovi%C4%87|archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> He scored his first goal with his new team late in the month, in a 3–2 win over [[Chivas USA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/59657/philadelphia-union-vs-chivas-usa/report|title=Philadelphia Union 3–2 Chivas USA: Philly extend home unbeaten run with spirited comeback|publisher=Goal|date=26 June 2011|access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref>

Paunović officially announced his retirement for the second time on 19 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/01/unions-paunovi%C4%87-announces-decision-retire|title=Union's Paunović announces decision to retire|publisher=Philadelphia Union|date=18 January 2012|access-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023062423/http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/01/unions-paunovi%C4%87-announces-decision-retire|archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref>

==International career==
Paunović made his debut for [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]] in a 2–1 [[Exhibition game#International football|friendly]] win over [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], on 13 February 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/mx/futbol/liga-mx/2023/02/25/63fa7a9422601d3b228b45bb.html|title=Paunovic: así fue la carrera como jugador del técnico de Chivas|trans-title=Paunovic: this was how the new manager of Chivas' playing career went down|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=25 February 2023|access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref> His only other [[Cap (sport)|cap]] came two years later against [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]], another exhibition match, and he scored in the 1–1 draw in [[Belfast]].<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/northern_ireland/3668223.stm|title=NI 1–1 Serbia & Montenegro|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 April 2004|access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===Serbia NT===
Paunović earned a [[UEFA Pro Licence|UEFA PRO coaching licence]] and a [[sporting director]] degree from the [[Royal Spanish Football Federation]]. For nine months, he was a [[UEFA Champions League]] analyst for [[RTVE]] in Spain.<ref name=Contract>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2019/01/03/chicago-fire-soccer-club-signs-head-coach-veljko-paunovi-multi-year-contract|title=Chicago Fire Soccer Club signs head coach Veljko Paunović to multi-year contract extension|publisher=Chicago Fire|date=3 January 2019|access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref>

Paunović began working as a manager with the Serbia national team, being in charge of their [[Serbia national under-18 football team|under-18]], [[Serbia national under-19 football team|under-19]] and [[Serbia national under-20 football team|under-20 sides]]. While with the latter, he won the [[2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup|2015 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name=U20>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/u-20-world-cup/0/blog/post/2499327/veljko-paunovic-the-man-behind-serbia-under-20-world-cup-win|title=Veljko Paunovic: The man behind Serbia's under-20 World Cup glory|publisher=[[ESPN]]|last=Ibrulj|first=Sasa|date=20 June 2015|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref>

===Chicago Fire===
[[File:CINvCHI 2017-06-28 - Veljko Paunovic (39394134540).jpg|thumb|Paunović at a [[U.S. Open Cup]] match away to [[FC Cincinnati (2016–18)|Cincinnati]] in 2017]]
On 24 November 2015, Paunović was appointed head coach of [[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]] in [[Major League Soccer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2015/11/24/chicago-fire-soccer-club-hires-veljko-paunovic-head-coach|title=Chicago Fire Soccer Club hires Veljko Paunovic as head coach|publisher=Chicago Fire|date=24 November 2015|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref> He led the team to [[MLS Cup|the playoffs]] in [[2017 MLS Cup Playoffs|2017]], which happened for the first time in five years.<ref name=Contract/> In the same year, he coached in the [[2017 MLS All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] against [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/mls-all-stars/11142/blog/post/3170049/veljko-paunovic-already-making-most-of-opportunity-in-mls|title=Veljko Paunovic already making most of opportunity in MLS|publisher=ESPN|last=Corrigan|first=Dermot|date=1 August 2017|access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref>

Paunović also reached the semi-finals of the [[U.S. Open Cup]] in [[2016 U.S. Open Cup|2016]] and [[2018 U.S. Open Cup|2018]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/08/09/ne-revs-top-chicago-fire-book-place-in-2016-us-open-cup-final/|title=NE Revs top Chicago Fire, book place in 2016 US Open Cup final|publisher=[[NBC Sports]]|last=Edwards|first=Andy|date=9 August 2016|access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/08/08/philadelphia-union-3-chicago-fire-0-2018-us-open-cup-match-recap|title=Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 {{!}} 2018 US Open Cup Match Recap|publisher=[[Major League Soccer]]|last=Rodriguez|first=Alicia|date=8 August 2018|access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> He and the Fire parted ways on 13 November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2019/11/13/chicago-fire-part-ways-head-coach-veljko-paunovi|title=Chicago Fire part ways with head coach Veljko Paunovic|publisher=Chicago Fire|date=13 November 2019|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref>

===Reading===
Paunović replaced [[Mark Bowen (footballer)|Mark Bowen]] as manager of [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] on 29 August 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53958436|title=Veljko Paunovic: Reading appoint Serbian as manager, replacing Mark Bowen|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2020|access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> On his [[EFL Championship]] debut on 12 September, the team won 2–0 at [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wokinghampaper.co.uk/derby-county-0-2-reading-goals-from-joao-and-ejaria-give-paunovics-royals-the-perfect-start/|title=Derby County 0–2 Reading: Goals from Joao and Ejaria give Paunović's Royals the perfect start|newspaper=Wokingham Today|last=Preston|first=Andy|date=12 September 2020|access-date=19 January 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211201430/https://www.wokinghampaper.co.uk/derby-county-0-2-reading-goals-from-joao-and-ejaria-give-paunovics-royals-the-perfect-start/|archive-date=11 February 2022}}</ref> he ended September as the division's [[EFL Championship Manager of the Month|Manager of the Month]] for winning all three games.<ref name=MOTM>{{cite news|url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/18779976.reading-fc-boss-nomimated-manager-month-award/|title=Reading FC boss nomimated for Manager of the Month award|newspaper=[[The Reading Chronicle]]|last=Joy|first=Matt|date=8 October 2020|access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> They missed out on a [[2021 English Football League play-offs|playoff place]] with two games remaining, after a 2–2 draw against [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] at the [[Madejski Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56790293|title=Reading 2–2 Swansea City|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Vincent|first=Gareth|date=25 April 2021|access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>

In November 2021, during Paunović's [[2021–22 EFL Championship|second season]], the team received a six-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules across the previous three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/17/reading-agree-six-point-deduction-with-efl-for-breaching-financial-rules|title=Reading agree six-point deduction with EFL for breaching financial rules|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|last=Fisher|first=Ben|date=17 November 2021|access-date=2 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/veljko-paunovic-message-reading-fans-22213141|title=Veljko Paunovic sends defiant message to Reading FC fans after confirmation of points deduction|publisher=Get Reading|last=Warlow|first=Robert|date=19 November 2021|access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref> The following January, the Royals were knocked out of the [[FA Cup]] in the [[2021–22 FA Cup|third round]] by [[National League North]] side [[Kidderminster Harriers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/19834227.will-turn-around-reading-fc-manager-insists-right-man-job/|title="I will turn this around." Reading FC manager insists he is right man for the job|newspaper=The Reading Chronicle|last=Nurick|first=Benjy|date=8 January 2022|access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref>

Following a 3–2 away victory over [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] on 19 February 2022, Reading announced that Paunović had left his role by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/february/19/club-statement---royals-part-company-with-veljko-paunovi--by-mutual-consent/|title=Club statement {{!}} Royals part company with Veljko Paunovic by mutual consent|publisher=Reading F.C.|date=19 February 2022|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref>

===Guadalajara===
On 31 October 2022, Paunović was named manager at [[Liga MX]] club [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chivasdecorazon.com.mx/en/noticias/35627|title=Veljko Paunovic: Chivas' new head coach.|publisher=C.D. Guadalajara|date=31 October 2022|access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref> He made his debut the following 7 January in a 1–0 win at [[C.F. Monterrey|Monterrey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eldiariodecoahuila.com.mx/2023/01/07/paunovic-en-chivas-comenzo-con-el-pie-derecho-ante-monterrey/|title=Paunovic en Chivas comenzó con el pie derecho ante Monterrey|trans-title=Paunović starts off on the right foot at Chivas against Monterrey|newspaper=El Diario de Coahuila|language=es|date=7 January 2023|access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref> 

Paunović left in December 2023 by mutual agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chivasdecorazon.com.mx/en/noticias/37151|title=Press release|publisher=C.D. Guadalajara|date=15 December 2023|access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref>

===Tigres UANL===
On 9 June 2024, Paunović became head coach of [[Tigres UANL]] in the same country and league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/13765001/tigres-veljko-paunovic-tecnico-apertura-2024-liga-mx|title=Tigres hace oficial la llegada de Veljko Paunović como DT|trans-title=Tigres make Veljko Paunović's arrival as HC official|publisher=[[ESPN (Latin America)|ESPN Mexico]]|language=es|date=9 June 2024|access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref> On 2 March 2025, he was dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/14865240/tigres-veljko-paunovic-despedido-clausura-2025|title=Paunovic, cesado como DT de Tigres; Guido Pizarro será el nuevo estratega|trans-title=Paunovic, fired as Tigres HC; Guido Pizarro will be the new strategist|publisher=ESPN Mexico|last=Álvarez|first=Víctor|language=es|date=2 March 2025|access-date=2 March 2025}}</ref>

===Oviedo===
Paunović returned to Spain on 26 March 2025, being appointed at second-tier [[Real Oviedo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realoviedo.es/noticias/paunovic-nuevo-entrenador-del-real-oviedo|title=Paunović, nuevo entrenador del Real Oviedo|trans-title=Paunović, new manager of Real Oviedo|publisher=Real Oviedo|language=es|date=26 March 2025|access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref> On his debut four days later, he oversaw a 2–1 home victory over [[Málaga CF|Málaga]] thanks to an [[own goal]] in injury time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/segunda/el-debut-mas-afortunado-de-paunovic-victoria-sobre-la-bocina-del-oviedo-n/|title=El debut más afortunado de Paunovic: victoria sobre la bocina del Oviedo|trans-title=Paunović's most fortunate debut: Oviedo win at the buzzer|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Azparren Menéndez|first=Nacho|language=es|date=30 March 2025|access-date=31 March 2025}}</ref> He ultimately guided the [[Asturias|Asturians]] to a [[2024–25 Segunda División|third-place finish]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2025/06/02/el-oviedo-de-paunovic-acaba-tercero-tras-ser-el-mejor-equipo-de-los-ultimos-dos-meses/|title=El Oviedo de Paunovic acaba tercero tras ser el mejor equipo de los últimos dos meses|trans-title=Paunović's Oviedo finish third after being the best team of the last two months|newspaper=[[Infobae]]|language=es|date=3 June 2025|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref> and secured top-flight promotion for the first time in 24 years with a 3–1 extra-time defeat of [[CD Mirandés|Mirandés]] in the second leg of the [[2025 Segunda División play-offs|promotion play-off final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nova.rs/sport/fudbal/veljko-paunovic-real-ovijedo-primera/|title=Veljko Paunović postao heroj, vratio slavni klub u Primeru posle 24 godine|trans-title=Veljko Paunović became a hero, returning the famous club to ''Primera'' after 24 years|publisher=[[Nova (Serbia)|Nova]]|last=Jakovljević|first=Andrej|language=sr|date=21 June 2025|access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==	
Paunović experienced hardships while training for football, such as walking for hours to practice and sometimes going without food.<ref name=CV>{{cite web|url=https://learning.coachesvoice.com/son-of-serbia/|title=Son of Serbia|agency=Coaches' Voice|last=Hodson|first=Tony|date=2 November 2020|access-date=15 December 2024}}</ref> His father, [[Blagoje Paunović|Blagoje]], was also a footballer; a [[Defender (association football)|defender]] who inspired him, he too played for Partizan and represented Yugoslavia at [[UEFA Euro 1968]], later embarking in a managerial career.<ref name=CV/>

Paunović is married and has four children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mozzartsport.com/vesti/paunovicev-poker-foto/57938|title=Paunovićev poker (FOTO)|trans-title=Paunović poker (PHOTO)|publisher=Mozzart Sport|language=sr|date=30 July 2013|access-date=18 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082135/http://www.mozzartsport.com/vesti/paunovicev-poker-foto/57938|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He is fluent in six languages: [[English language|English]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]], [[Russian language|Russian]] and [[German language|German]].<ref name=Contract/>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name=Profile/><ref>{{BDFutbol|2573}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/spieler_profil/veljko-paunovic/|title=Veljko Paunovic|publisher=Worldfootball|access-date=25 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.partizanopedia.rs/veljkopaunovic.html|title=Veljko Paunović|publisher=Partizanopedia|language=sr|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[FK Partizan|Partizan]]
|[[1994–95 First League of FR Yugoslavia|1994–95]]
|[[First League of FR Yugoslavia|First League]]
|13||1||5||0||0||0||18||1
|-
|[[CA Marbella|Marbella]] (loan)
|[[1995–96 Segunda División|1995–96]]
|[[Segunda División]]
|20||2||0||0||0||0||20||2
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Atlético Madrid B]]
|[[1996–97 Segunda División|1996–97]]
|Segunda División
|7||3||0||0||0||0||7||3
|-
|[[1997–98 Segunda División|1997–98]]
|Segunda División
|15||8||0||0||0||0||15||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!22!!11!!0!!0!!0!!0!!22!!11
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Atlético Madrid]]
|[[1996–97 La Liga|1996–97]]
|[[La Liga]]
|16||1||2||0||1||0||19||1
|-
|[[1997–98 La Liga|1997–98]]
|La Liga
|14||6||2||0||3||0||19||6
|-
|[[1999–2000 La Liga|1999–00]]
|La Liga
|30||7||4||0||4||0||38||7
|-
|[[2000–01 Segunda División|2000–01]]
|Segunda División
|5||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!52!!9!!4!!0!!7!!1!!63!!10
|-
|[[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] (loan)
|[[1998–99 La Liga|1998–99]]
|La Liga
|24||5||0||0||6||1||30||6
|-
|[[Real Oviedo|Oviedo]] (loan)
|[[2000–01 La Liga|2000–01]]
|La Liga
|22||4||0||0||0||0||22||4
|-
|Mallorca (loan)
|[[2001–02 La Liga|2001–02]]
|La Liga
|33||3||0||0||8||0||41||3
|-
|[[CD Tenerife|Tenerife]]
|[[2002–03 Segunda División|2002–03]]
|Segunda División
|38||18||0||0||0||0||38||18
|-
|rowspan="3"|Atlético Madrid
|[[2003–04 La Liga|2003–04]]
|La Liga
|25||6||2||1||0||0||27||7
|-
|[[2004–05 La Liga|2004–05]]
|La Liga
|10||0||2||0||3||2||15||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!35!!6!!4!!1!!3!!2!!42!!9
|-
|[[Hannover 96|Hannover]]
|[[2004–05 Bundesliga|2004–05]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|6||0||1||0||0||0||7||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Getafe CF|Getafe]]
|[[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]]
|La Liga
|30||10||1||3||0||0||31||13
|-
|[[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]]
|La Liga
|14||0||3||1||0||0||17||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!44!!10!!4!!4!!0!!0!!48!!14
|-
|[[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]]
|[[2007 Russian Premier League|2007]]
|[[Russian Premier League]]
|16||1||2||1||0||0||18||2
|-
|[[UD Almería|Almería]]
|[[2007–08 La Liga|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|7||2||0||0||0||0||7||2
|-
|Partizan
|[[2008–09 Serbian SuperLiga|2008–09]]
|[[Serbian SuperLiga]]
|9||1||1||0||8||1||18||2
|-
|[[Philadelphia Union]]
|[[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|17||3||0||0||0||0||17||3
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!358!!76!!21!!6!!32!!5!!411!!87
|}

===International===
:''Scores and results list Serbia and Montenegro's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Paunović goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Veljko Paunović
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 28 April 2004 || [[Windsor Park]], [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland || {{fb|Northern Ireland}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]<ref name=BBC/>
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 21 June 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=3954|title=Veljko Paunovic {{!}} Managers|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/veljko-paunovic/3803/|title=V. Paunovic|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Coaching record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbia U20/U19/U18]]
|align=left|1 October 2012
|align=left|30 June 2015
{{WDL|16|10|3|3|decimals=2}}
|-
|align=left|[[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]]
|align=left|24 November 2015
|align=left|13 November 2019
{{WDL|148|46|39|63|decimals=2}}
|-
|align=left|[[Reading F.C.|Reading]]
|align=left|29 August 2020
|align=left|19 February 2022
{{WDL|83|29|18|36|decimals=2}}
|-
|align=left|[[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]]
|align=left|31 October 2022
|align=left|15 December 2023
{{WDL|50|27|8|15|decimals=2}}
|-
|align=left|[[Tigres UANL]]
|align=left|9 June 2024
|align=left|2 March 2025
{{WDL|35|20|6|9|decimals=2}}
|-
|align=left|[[Real Oviedo|Oviedo]]
|align=left|26 March 2025
|align=left|Present
{{WDL|14|9|4|1|decimals=2}}
|-
!colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|346|141|78|127|decimals=2}}
|}

==Honours==
===Manager===
'''Serbia'''
*[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]: [[2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup|2015]]<ref name=U20/>

'''Individual'''
*[[EFL Championship Manager of the Month]]: September 2020<ref name=MOTM/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
*{{BDFutbol|2573}}
*{{MLS player|veljko-paunovic}}
*{{Reprezentacija|paunovic-veljko}}
*{{NFT player|10512}}

{{Real Oviedo squad}}
{{La Liga managers}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Managerial positions
|list1=
{{Chicago Fire managers}}
{{Reading F.C. managers}}
{{C.D. Guadalajara managers}}
{{Tigres UANL managers}}
{{Real Oviedo managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| fg = Black
| bordercolor = Black
| list1 = 
{{FIFA U-20 World Cup winning managers}}
{{Football Association of Serbia Coach of the Year}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paunovic, Veljko}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Serbian men's footballers]]
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[[Category:Footballers from Strumica]]
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