By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The reunion between Zeljko Obradovic and Panathinaikos Aktor became official during an emotional presentation at the Telekom Center Athens on Monday.
Legions of passionate fans rushed to the venue to celebrate the return of the tactician who previously guided the club to five EuroLeague titles and eleven Greek League championships. Before making his way to the press room, the Cacak native walked through the court to thank the gathered supporters and greeted several familiar faces along the way.
During the press conference, 66-year-old Obradovic expressed deep gratitude, noting that the negotiations were entirely seamless. “First of all, I want to thank Dimitris for giving me the opportunity to be here again. I appreciate this very much,” he opened. “It was a very nice conversation, and it was very easy to understand each other. I never lost my connection with the Giannakopoulos family, and with people here. Also, with these fans, who were great in welcoming me over here again.”
Panathinaikos fans welcoming ZELJKO OBRADOVIC back ☘ pic.twitter.com/PuaoSmSlZf
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 22, 2026
To replicate the golden era that yielded 16 total trophies during his initial 13-year tenure, the iconic tactician plans to lean on the same relentless drive that defined his past success.
“Motivation is the key word in the life of every person. If you have motivation, you can do whatever you want. If you put a big target in front of you, also,” explained Obradovic. “There is fire inside of me to continue to be a coach. For me, it was very easy to find that motivation here, in this place.”
Zeljko Obradovic: “Motivation is the key word in the life of every person.
Inside me exists this fire to continue to be coach. It was easy to find motivation in this place. I never lost connection with the family and the people here.” pic.twitter.com/PUEXLlwObH
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 22, 2026
The reunion is backed by a monumental three-year, €12 million net contract. The record-breaking deal averages €4 million net per season, making it the largest coaching contract ever signed in European basketball history, highlighting the determination of the Greens to remain at the forefront of the EuroLeague title race for years to come.
“In 2024, we won the EuroLeague, in 2025 we hosted the Final Four here in Athens, and we have made one of the best stadiums in Europe. And now, it’s a very important moment for us. We have back, and we can celebrate having the top of the top coaches, our love, Mr. Zeljko Obradovic, who has linked his name with all the success stories of Panathinaikos,” mentioned Giannakopoulos.
The gravity of securing the winningest coach in European history outweighs any single championship trophy for management. “It’s even bigger than winning the EuroLeague. It’s the biggest day for this club in many, many years,” stressed Giannakopoulos, countering a question about the returning head coach being a birthday gift.
When questioned about rampant rumors linking club icons Mike Batiste, Dimitris Diamantidis, and Vassilis Xanthopoulos to his incoming coaching staff, Obradovic made it clear that he retains absolute authority over his personnel.
“I will decide who will be on my staff and how it will be. I will inform, first of all, the president and other people who are in charge of the club. After that, all you people will have the information,” he firmly responded, establishing clear boundaries regarding team operations right from day one.
Q: Does the fact that the big rival [Olympiacos] of Panathinaikos is powerful now give an extra motivation?
DPG: Big rival, you talk about Real Madrid I imagine. They lost in the Final. Zeljko was saying that we need to surpass them. He’s the No. 1 who could achieve that” pic.twitter.com/PdvUhxXS52
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 22, 2026
Giannakopoulos also brushed aside questions regarding external motivation from increasingly powerful European adversaries. “We never look at our rivals. I imagine that you refer to Real Madrid when you are talking about a big rival. They lost the Final. The question is whether we can win more titles than Real,” he said.
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