By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dejan Radonjic has been named head coach of Zenit.
Entering the VTB United League on a contract until the end of the 2025-26 season with an option for an additional season, the 55-year-old expert took over from Aleksander Sekulic.
The team based in Saint Petersburg officially confirmed the head-coaching change on Wednesday.
Per the press release: “Zenit Basketball Club has signed a contract with Dejan Radonjić, who will become the new head coach of the Blue-White-Sky Blues first team. The agreement with the 55-year-old Montenegrin specialist is valid until the end of the 2026/27 season under a “1+1” system.
Dejan Radonjić began his professional coaching career in 2005 — a year after retiring as a player. He joined Budućnost as an assistant coach and soon became the head coach of the Podgorica team, leading them to six consecutive Montenegrin championships and national Cups.
From 2013 to 2017, and again from 2020 to 2022, Radonjić led Belgrade’s Crvena Zvezda. During this time, the Montenegrin coach became a true club legend, achieving outstanding results by guiding the team to five Adriatic League titles, five Serbian championships, and five national Cups, as well as reaching the EuroLeague quarterfinals in the 2015/16 season.
Between his two tenures at Crvena Zvezda — from 2018 to 2020 — Dejan Radonjić coached Bayern Munich, winning the German Bundesliga twice.
He started the 2022/23 season with Greek club Panathinaikos but soon left the team. His most recent team was Istanbul Bahçeşehir Koleji. Under Radonjić’s guidance, the team achieved some of the best results in its history, reaching the semifinals of both the Turkish Championship and the EuroCup, and earning silver medals in the FIBA Europe Cup.
It is also worth noting that Radonjić has coached the Montenegrin national basketball team, leading them at EuroBasket 2011.
The Blue-White-Sky Blues are delighted to welcome Dejan Radonjić to Saint Petersburg and wishes him great success with Zenit!”
Earlier, Zenit parted ways with 47-year-old Sekulic and his assistants.
Per the press release: “Zenit Basketball Club by mutual agreement, has terminated the contract with head coach Aleksander Sekulić, as well as with his assistants — Jurica Žuža and Jernej Valentinčič.
Under the guidance of the Slovenian coach, the Blue-White-Sky Blues played 27 games in the VTB United League, WINLINE Basket Cup, and the Supercup.
We thank the coaches for their work and wish them success.”
“This moment is not easy for me,” confessed the Slovenian tactician. “I want to sincerely thank the Zenit fans, the players, and everyone inside the club who supported me from day one. Leading this team was an honour I will always respect. This season tested us. Injuries disrupted our continuity, our rhythm, and at times our confidence, leading to results none of us wanted. I take my share of responsibility, but I also know how much work, fight, and heart this group showed every single day behind the scenes. What matters most now is Zenit’s future. I wish them the best of luck. I leave with pride, gratitude, and respect. And with the firm belief that this club belongs at the very top. Thank you, Zenit family.”