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Uri Malmilian (Hebrew: אורי מלמיליאן; born April 24, 1957) is an Israeli former football player and current manager.
Early life and playing career
Born in the neighbourhood of Mamilla in Jerusalem, Israel, Malmilian had a memorable playing career in the Liga Leumit at Beitar Jerusalem. He is regarded as one of the best Israeli players ever.
Malmilian joined the youth system of Beitar at an early age. At the age of sixteen(16), Malmilian had his first appearance in the senior team of Beitar. In this first match he scored a stunning goal from a corner kick.
Malmilian had his big breakthrough in the 1976 season. He led the squad to the second place of the league and won Beitar's first important trophy, the Israeli Cup, after his goal in the 90th minute in the Final sealed the title. He was chosen as Player of the Season and was convoked to the National Team even before at the age of 18. This made Uri the youngest player ever to be convoked to Israel national football team.
In 1979 Malmilian received a lucrative offer from French club Paris Saint-Germain but he decided to keep playing with Beitar.
In the next few years he formed a devastating trio with team-mates Danny Neuman and Victor Levy.
In 1986 Malmilian was the Top Scorer of the Israeli league with 14 goals in 30 matches.
In 1987, he coupled with Eli Ohana to bring the club its first championship.
In 1989, he won another Israeli Cup and then surprisingly announced a move to rival club Maccabi Tel Aviv. With Maccabi, Malmilian won another championship in 1992.
In 1993 Malmilian retired from active play.
Managerial career
His managerial career started with Hapoel Jerusalem where he managed to promote them to the Israeli Premier League.
He had success as the manager of Maccabi Netanya which he also promoted to the Israeli Premier League but he quit after disputes with the club's management.
Later he managed Hakoah Ramat Gan which is yet another club that he managed to promote to the Israeli Premier League.
On 2007/8 season Uri was managing Hapoel Petah Tikva In Liga Leumit. Malmilian won the Toto Cup for that league, but was fired later.
He managed Hapoel Ashkelon in the 2009–10 season of Liga Leumit and won again promotion to the Israeli Premier League.
In 2010 Uri was signed to Beitar Jerusalem for the 2010/2011 season, he been manager until he resigned in January 17, 2011.
Icon
Uri is regarded as one of the great symbols of Jerusalem fans. He became so famous that to this day vendors in the Mahane Yehuda Market have a saying "Every apple a Malmilian", meaning that every apple is of Top Notch quality.
Honors and awards
As a player
- Israel State Cup (5) : 1976, 1979, 1985, 1986, 1989
- Israeli championships: (1): 1986–87
- Israel Super Cup (2): 1976 , 1986
- Israeli championships: (1): 1991–92
Individual
- 2 times Top Scorer of the League
- 2 times Israeli player of the year
As a manager
- Israeli Second Division:
- Winner (1): 1998–99
- Runner-up (3): 1995–96, 2005–06, 2009–10
- Toto Cup (Leumit):
- Winner (1): 2007