Zeljković: ”My dream has come true!”

The signing was followed by a presentation. Zoran Zeljković addressed the media for the first time this morning, summing up his thoughts in the familiar green and white environment. Zeljković led the Dragons’ opening training session yesterday and will take Olimpija to Domžale on Saturday, where he has already won this season.

Director Igor Barišić at a press conference in Stožice: “Today we are happy and satisfied. The new coach has already had his first day on the job. After all the speculations, we are very happy to have in our ranks the expert we wanted a year ago. I think we have made the right move. We have brought in a local person, the best Slovenian strategist. Due to all the circumstances, we were not able to appoint him in the past, but now Zoran is here and we wish him well. Thanks to the board of Koper for a fair transfer. The satisfaction is mutual.”

Sports Director Goran Boromisa added: ” We wanted a coach who knows the league. Someone who has already achieved something in the Slovenian championship. He has also won a cup competition and is no stranger to working with young players. At the same time, Zoran will adapt quickly to the new environment, because he knows what Olimpija means.”

Zoran Zeljković – new head coach of the Dragons: ”I’m a Ljubljanaer and a child of Olimpija, so it was easier to make the decision to come. A club like this doesn’t call you every day, so I’m proud to be part of the Green and Whites. I was convinced from the first call. It was a proud moment for me. You want to progress as a coach and I see the move to Olimpija as a step forward. I immediately got a lot of messages of encouragement and at least my neighbourhood, Fužine, but also Jarše, says that they will go to the games more often now.”

On growing up in Ljubljana: ”I started as a kid in NK Šmartno, and my first transfer was to Olimpija. I dreamt of playing for the first team one day, I did it, then I became a coach and dreamt of leadinig this club again. We know what Olimpija means, so when I joined the club, my dream came true.”

On his first moves on the Olimpija bench: “First, I want to stabilise the team. We know Olimpija concede too many goals. We can’t afford to concede two or three goals every game, the defence brings the title, at least that’s my philosophy. Especially in Europe, we will have to be pragmatic, but Olimpija will always be attacking and attractive, because here the trophies must be won.”

About Saturday’s away game: ”The first match will be here soon. The boys are still coming back from the national teams. We will see who will be healthy, but I believe that captain Elšnik will be ready for Domžale. We have the biggest squad in Slovenia. I still have to get to know the players, of course, but I immediately noticed the positive energy, which is the most important thing for getting results.”

On the home support: ‘ ‘The audience in Ljubljana is demanding. It won’t be easy, but I believe that we will provoke a bigger crowd with our desire and the way we play. I am convinced that people can recognise what good football is. We can only do something great together.”

On the upcoming European overture: ”Europe was definitely one of the main reasons I came to Olimpija. Being a coach in a UEFA Europa Conference League is not an everyday opportunity, but we will start thinking about Klaksvik on Sunday.”

On the technical staff of the team: ‘ ‘I would like to add that the technical staff is not yet finalised at the moment. I will be assisted by Džengis Čavušević, who worked with me in Koper, and the rest will be sorted out in the next few days.”