In the First Macedonian Football League only Vasoski holds a championship title among current managers
Of the ten managers in the top flight, only Sileks' manager Aleksandar Vasoski has won a league title so far — with Vardar in 2019–20.
The season in the First Macedonian Football League started last week, and since there is a break this weekend due to the holiday, it is a good moment to review the coaching benches in the top flight — status as of August 2, 2026.
One fact stands out clearly: of the ten current managers in the FMFL only the Sileks manager, Aleksandar Vasoski, has won a league championship. Vasoski lifted the title with Vardar in the 2019–20 season and so far is the only coach in the championship with that trophy.
Who sits on each bench
Tikvesh are led by Oliver Bogatinov — a Slovenian of Macedonian descent — and the Kavadarci side had an impressive start to the season. If Bogatinov is considered a foreign coach, he is one of three foreign managers in the FMFL.
Shkendija Tetovo are entrusted to Artim Polozani, who arrives without experience as a head coach, but his start has been excellent: a convincing win over Skopje and progression to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Struga TL continue to be led by Bledi Shkembi from Albania — a coach who has shown he can run the team, and this season the aim is qualification for European competition. Vardar work with Kristian Fabiani from Argentina; after the win over Bregalnica and the early elimination from European competition, questions arise whether the club can keep pace with Shkendija in the title race under him.
After the departure of Vlatko Kostov, experienced Nikola Kuzmanov took the Bregalnica bench, tasked with stabilizing the team. Skopje are led by Muarem Muarem, who previously worked in Gostivar, Bashkimi and Rabotnichki. Arsimi made no change — Vildan Saliu remains coach after securing survival in his debut. Berat Imeri is the coach of Shkendija Arachinovo, a newcomer to the league that has shown quality and fighting spirit despite starting with a heavy defeat in Struga. Bashkimi face the toughest period — in the first round they fielded youth players and the team is currently led by Gajur Redjepi, a former Teteks player and coach in Shkendija Tetovo's youth teams.
In a brief overview, the current list of clubs and managers is as follows:
- Sileks — Aleksandar Vasoski
- Tikvesh — Oliver Bogatinov (Slovenia)
- Shkendija Tetovo — Artim Polozani
- Struga TL — Bledi Shkembi (Albania)
- Vardar — Kristian Fabiani (Argentina)
- Bregalnica — Nikola Kuzmanov
- Skopje — Muarem Muarem
- Arsimi — Vildan Saliu
- Shkendija Arachinovo — Berat Imeri
- Bashkimi — Gajur Redjepi
After all these developments, only Aleksandar Vasoski can carry the epithet "championship-winning coach" among the current top-flight managers.
Photo: press material from the event
