Cardiff is the focal point of Bosnian football today as the national team prepares for a crucial playoff match to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. However, developments at FK Željezničar are also capturing attention, with former Dynamo Zagreb sporting director Marko Marić emerging as a leading candidate for the role.
This search for new leadership at Željezničar provides an opportunity to reflect on the story of the club’s devoted supporters, the “Manijaci,” and their deep connection to the city of Sarajevo and its cultural history.
The “New Primitivism” movement, a cultural phenomenon that blossomed in Sarajevo during the mid-1980s, was closely linked to the iconic “Top List of Surrealists” radio and television program. This period coincided with Sarajevo hosting the 1984 Winter Olympics, an event that brought international attention to the city and fueled the movement’s growth, inspiring bands like Zabranjeno Pušenje.
Videoton and the Weight of History
Fate intertwined the members of the “Surrealists” with Željezničar, and 1985 proved to be a year of both immense pride and devastating heartbreak for the club and its fans. Željezničar already boasted a large and passionate fanbase, but the events of that season drew even more supporters to the cause.
In 1985, Željezničar reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, coming within striking distance of a final showdown with Real Madrid. The first leg, played on April 10, 1985, in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, saw Videoton (now Fehervar) defeat Sarajevo 3-1. The return leg in Sarajevo was a historic affair. Goals from Bahtić and Ćurić put Željezničar in a winning position, seemingly guaranteeing their place in the final, and the team, under the guidance of coach Ivica Osim, dominated the match.
However, just two minutes before the final whistle, with Grbavica Stadium already celebrating, Joszef Csuhay of Videoton scored a late equalizer, shattering the dreams of the home fans. This painful defeat became a defining moment for the “Surrealists,” and two years later, fueled by the euphoria of the time, the “Manijaci” supporter group was founded.
The “Manijaci” quickly established themselves as a prominent force on the Bosnian football scene. While not necessarily known for street dominance, they were renowned for their vibrant displays of support, both at Grbavica Stadium and during away matches. Their biggest rivals were naturally the city’s other major club, supported by the “Horde zla.”
Relationships with Torcida (Hajduk Split’s supporters) were generally peaceful, while ties with Dinamo Zagreb’s “BBB” were often friendly. Shared colors, a connection to ordinary people, and the presence of players who had played for both clubs fostered a sense of camaraderie. The late singer Kemal Monteno, a beloved figure in both cities, further strengthened these bonds.
However, the group’s trajectory was irrevocably altered by the outbreak of the Bosnian War. Sarajevo endured the longest siege in modern warfare history, and Grbavica found itself on the front lines. The war devastated Grbavica and the neighborhoods where the “Manijaci” were based. During the defense of Sarajevo, one of the group’s leaders, Dževad Begić Đilda, tragically lost his life, killed by a sniper.
A Return to the Stands and Renewed Rivalries
May 2, 1996, marked a pivotal moment in the group’s history. It was the date of the first match played at Grbavica Stadium since the finish of the war, attracting a crowd of 20,000 fans. The “Manijaci’s” anthem, and that of the club, became “Grbavica,” performed by Mladen Vojčić Tifa, formerly of Bijelo Dugme.
Tifa, a devoted Željezničar fan, was widely regarded as the most vital singer in the city for remaining in Sarajevo during the siege. Post-war, Željezničar has not achieved the same level of success it enjoyed during the Yugoslav era. European competition remains a distant dream, and the club has won the Bosnian Premier League six times, most recently in 2013, and the Bosnian Cup in 2018.
In the years following the war, the “Manijaci” were involved in clashes with supporters of other clubs. In 2005, they received a warm welcome from BBB in Zagreb, but a friendly match in Sarajevo was marred by chaos when Boys were attacked on the stands. The “Manijaci” later discovered that the incident was instigated by Serbian fans who had infiltrated the stadium.
A major confrontation with Torcida occurred in 2011, ahead of a match between Željezničar and Hajduk, which was intended to celebrate the club’s 90th anniversary. Hooligans blocked the city, setting nine cars on fire and engaging in clashes with over 400 fans throwing flares. The incident stemmed from Torcida supporters invading the stadium and vandalizing decorations for the anniversary celebration, leading to street battles and the eventual cancellation of the match.
The “Manijaci” continue to exist today. Grbavica Stadium is occasionally filled with passionate supporters, but the situation in Bosnian football, and the country as a whole, remains challenging. The group is now known for singing the opening theme song from the cartoon “Maleni leteći medvjedi” during matches. They have maintained a relatively peaceful presence in recent years, although the rivalry with the “Horde zla” remains intense.
As Bosnia and Herzegovina prepares for its crucial playoff match in Cardiff, the spirit of the “Manijaci” and the history of Željezničar serve as a reminder of the deep connection between football and the cultural identity of the nation. The team will need that support as they attempt to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina faces Wales in Cardiff on Thursday, March 26, with a spot in the World Cup playoff final on the line. The winner will then face either Italy or Northern Ireland in Zenica on March 31. Fans can follow updates and coverage on Radiosarajevo.ba and other sports news outlets.
