By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
Zeljko Obradovic‘s era at Partizan is over. The Serbian coach leaves the organization after Partizan made it official on Saturday.
The Belgrade team made a statement about the decision and the last meetings with the legendary coach, despite earlier reports about a new meeting after the weekend.
Per the press release:
The KK Partizan Mozzart Bet board held a series of meetings and consultations over the previous two days, and on Friday met with head coach Željko Obradović to discuss his continued tenure as head coach of the first team.
Obradović received full and unequivocal support to continue his work and take all necessary steps to help the team overcome its current crisis in performance and results.
Following the meeting and several additional attempts by president Ostoja Mijailović and board members to persuade Obradović to reconsider, the former coach maintained his decision not to withdraw his resignation. He cited his inability to see himself working with the current team and the impact that daily work at this level has on his health.
The meeting between Željko Obradović and the KK Partizan board members lasted over two hours, with an open discussion on all the issues and their possible solutions. Despite a number of constructive proposals, including potential staff cuts, Željko Obradović, while thanking everyone for their words of support, did not change his decision and will no longer serve as head coach of the black and white team.
Željko Obradović’s symbolic and basketball importance to Partizan and to basketball worldwide is immeasurable. The void he leaves will be difficult to fill. The doors of Partizan are always open to Željko Obradović, and Partizan will always be his home.
Due to the new situation, a meeting of the KK Partizan board has been scheduled for early next week to appoint a new sporting director and define the strategy for the sporting department. A press conference will be held after the meeting.
The time and location of the conference will be announced to media representatives at a later date.
After this announcement, fans of the club gathered outside the Beograd Arena, where the team held its practice, to protest, and captain Vanja Marinkovic addressed them with many of his teammates trying to calm down the whole tension.
No major incidents occurred, due also to police being present on the scene; however, the future of Partizan right now is in question, and a new coach must be found.