By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
After several turbulent days that included Obradović’s resignation, the club’s attempt to persuade him to reconsider, the emotional welcome for the trophy-winning coach at Nikola Tesla Airport, and finally the official farewell along with the departure of sports director Zoran Savić, Partizan president Ostoja Mijailović appeared on Euronews Serbia’s program “Direct with Minjo Miletić” to discuss everything that had unfolded over the past week.
“Unfortunately, Željko Obradović is no longer the head coach of Partizan. It’s a great loss for all of us in the Partizan family and for Serbian sports,” Mijailović said before explaining how everything happened.
“Before the trip to Athens, right after the game in Belgrade where Željko voiced his frustrations about the situation and his relationship with the players, I could clearly see how unhappy he was. I called an urgent meeting at the club the day before the team left for Athens to address what was happening with the results, with certain players, and where this lack of respect was coming from. Zoran Savić, Željko, and the coaching staff were present. I told them they had the club’s full support. Željko said the players weren’t listening to him, that the situation was abnormal, and that they didn’t know how to fix it. He mentioned resigning already, but we immediately halted that topic. We concluded that we needed a meeting with the full team, reminding them of their contractual obligations, and that they must respect the staff and the jersey,” he explained, adding that they even discussed extending their cooperation.
Mijailovic also described the game against Panathinaikos, the beginning of the end.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when halftime started; it was like watching a ship crash into a rock. How can a team go 0–25? It was impossible to explain. I looked at Željko, and honestly, I nearly cried seeing the state he was in. The next morning at around 10, he messaged me asking to talk. I had a feeling something serious was coming—and sadly, I was right. He told me he had made his decision: he was resigning. He said the players didn’t respect him, he wasn’t feeling well, and couldn’t handle the results anymore. I told him his decision appeared final and that he wasn’t going to change it. I went to the club and immediately called a Board session for Thursday.”
The club management ultimately did not accept the resignation.
“I informed him that the Board rejected his resignation and that we would do anything for him to stay. I asked him to meet with the Board. I still hoped he would reconsider. Every member said he must stay. I told him to give me the names of any players who insulted or disrespected him—we would cut them immediately. But he said his decision was final, that he couldn’t endure the results anymore, and that it was affecting his health. I even told him we could change the goals and finish last in the standings if necessary. I told him he could at least stay in club management, but he said he wanted to step away completely. He loves Partizan, but that was his choice. He said he didn’t want to face a tragedy on the bench because of his health. Some people keeping statistics were crying.”
Not a long time ago, a contract extension was on the table.
“We talked about a two-year extension. We even joked around that if he didn’t want to coach, he could take a different role. Someone asked what would happen if someone told me not to extend Željko’s contractm and I said I’d resign.”
Mijailovic added that assistant coach Vlada Androić also tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and talked about the next Partzian head coach and general manager.
“Vlada Androić submitted his irrevocable resignation. He’s Željko’s best friend. The others remain on the staff—they have to keep working. We haven’t contacted any coach so far. Next week we’ll appoint a sports director, and that will be his responsibility. I haven’t talked to Trinchieri since he left, even though I saw ten names thrown around. That’s the sports director’s job. We’ll appoint a new sports director in the coming days. I’ll speak with him and with the players individually. My proposal for the Board of Directors will be Žarko Paspalj—possibly others”.
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