Ahead of the 1986–87 season, head coach Milan Živadinović took over the reins and the team started their league campaign off exceptionally well, continually keeping pace with teams at the top of the table. Among the notable results Budućnost posted during this great run was getting a 1–1 draw versus Partizan away at JNA Stadium in mid August 1986, beating Red Star Belgrade 1–2 away at their Marakana ground in mid October 1986 as well as winning over Hajduk Split by the same score away at their Poljud Stadium in late November 1986. The club was in 4th place—behind Vardar, FK Partizan, and Velež—as the winter break commenced in mid December 1986.