Ernest Gjoka


Ernest Gjoka is an Albanian professional football coach who is currently the manager of Shkëndija in the Macedonian First League.

Managerial career

Kukësi

On 22 July 2016, Gjoka was appointed the new coach of Kukësi by signing a contract for the 2016–17 season. On 24 August 2016, Gjoka won his first trophy, the Albanian Superliga, beating reigning Albanian Superliga champions Skënderbeu 3–1. He did not win his first Albanian Superliga game as Kukësi manager, as Kukësi stuck into a goalless draw away to Vllaznia on 8 September 2016. On 7 June 2017, Gjoka agreed a contract extension, signing until June 2018. Gjoka was sacked the following month after Kukësi's elimination from the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round to Sheriff Tiraspol on away goal rule.

Vllaznia

On 19 October, Gjoka was announced as the new manager of Vllaznia. He stated that he signed a contract based on the team's performances. Gjoka's first match as manager was in the 1-0 loss against Partizani on 22 October 2017, with an early goal scored by Milan Basrak.
On 22 February 2018, Gjoka was attacked by a masked person with a knife following the end of a training session. It was reported that the attacker was a relative of a Vllaznia player. Gjoka emerged unharmed from the incident and the attacker got away. The attack towards him was with the purpose of activating players by force. In an interview the next day, he stated: "This is a problem that Shkodër has always had. They give the place to kids in undeserved way. If a kid doesn't deserve to be in the team, then he doesn't come. I know the real Shkodër city and the healthy part of the city that respects me.