Smajlović began his career in Sloga, a small amateur club from Sarajevo.
Two years later, Smajlović signed a professional contract with Željezničar for whom he played more than 400 games and scored 241 goals.
The fact that Smajlović did not play for one of the bigger Yugoslav clubs limited his chances of being a regular choice in the national team.
In 1988, he was invited to Canada and soon after was named manager of Toronto Croatia in the National Soccer League.
He ultimately decided to end his managerial career after leaving the national team.