Press conference in Stožice

In the morning, Igor Barišić, Director of Olimpija Football Club, and Goran Boromisa, Sports Director, addressed the media in Stožice. The current change of head coach was discussed.

The present representatives of the media were first addressed by Director Barišič: ”I would like to thank Joao Henriques and his assistants for their efforts at Olimpija. Together we achieved a historic success and took the club to the UEFA Europa Conference League for the first time in its history. We must not forget that. I respect him very much as a person, but as a board we had to take action and make this decision. We think it is the right step, because the team still has a lot of games and opportunities to succeed. Thanks again to Henriques, Moderno and Serrao, but we are starting on a new path with a new week.”

On the appointment of a new coach: ”I can’t confirm the name of the new coach today, but I’m sure it will be known by Friday. Two or three coaches are shortlisted. Until then, the team will be led by Boštjan Miklič, our coach of the youth team. We are deciding on the first team coach together in the board. Me, Goran Boromisa and President Adam Delius. Olimpija needs a serious coach. The responsibility is much bigger here than in other environments. Each coach has his own conditions and, as I said, we have a lot of matches ahead of us, so we don’t want to rush with the appointment and throw money around recklessly.”

On the candidates who have appeared in the media: “I can confirm that we had dinner with Miroslav Klose, whose wife is a friend of my wife. We also know Felix Magath, President Delius and Magath are neighbours. Until there is a decision, we will not talk too much about it. In any case, coaches of this calibre would not come to Olimpija for the money, but for the challenge. Expectations are always high in Olimpija. But money is not the main motive of the coaches we talk to. Our aim is to find a long-term solution. Joao Henriques achieved a historic success, but things just didn’t go in the right direction and unfortunately for us we had to react. There are no guarantees in this business.”

Barišić added: ”I can also mention the financial situation of the club, which is the best in its history. We have concluded matters with the former coaches. I can publicly confirm that we have managed to reach an agreement with Dino Skender and we have won the fight against Albert Riera at Uefa. Debts from the past are thus almost completely paid.”

Sports Director Goran Boromisa said: “We are looking for a coach to boost our energy. There were several reasons for the change. We wanted something new and once we have resolved that, we can talk about the next moves. It’s no secret that I had coffee with Igor Biščan in Zagreb, but his arrival is not a realistic option at the moment. We have also been in conversation with Gonzalo Garcia, but the President is leaning towards a more experienced coach. Many names have been offered to us, but we have not spoken to Dejan Grabić and Slaviša Stojanović. We are going in the direction that the new coach will be an experienced name from abroad. The injury of Matevž Vidovšek is of a more serious nature, which means that he will be missing for a longer period of time and we have to accept that. Denis Pintol definitely deserves a chance, so I wish him good luck for the upcoming challenges. Young Žan Mauricio is also here. We have no problem with that, so we will not be looking for a new goalkeeper until the winter transfer window. I will be able to tell you more about Agustin Doffo’s contract extension in early January. Until then, we still have four games to play in Europe. We would like to perform to our maximum. We believe in success, so we will not give up on the international stage until the end.”