Zeljko Obradovic criticizes Partizan President Mijailovic after his resignation!

Zeljko Obradovic, the legendary coach who resigned from Partizan, explained all the reasons for his departure in an interview with Zone Press and heavily criticized the president Ostoja Mijailovic. Here are Obradovic's words...

'IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS OF MY LIFE'

"I took an extremely difficult step for me, I took responsibility for all the negativity this season and I stood by that decision. I communicated my decision to the club president the next morning and he understood my reasons. Our conversation went very well. He said he saw me at the match and understood that this decision was the only solution. I couldn't go on anymore, I had no strength left. I gave everything, please don't burden me with this. This decision was very stressful and one of the most difficult moments of my life."

'THE PRESIDENT ASKED FOR IT'

"After my decision to resign, my friend brought me home. I just stared at the ceiling for an hour. After my resignation, the president thanked me. But to my great surprise, things started to develop. The president asked me to use the phrase "my resignation is irrevocable" in my resignation statement. That way he would reduce the pressure. I accepted that, I gave the players time off, I gave the management time, because we had three home games and there was a break. I got a message from the president that my resignation was not accepted. He invited me to the club. They told me that my resignation was not accepted. But I stood by my decision. I asked the president, "What happened in the last 24 hours? "What changed after my resignation was accepted? What changed was the support of the fans."

'THE PRESIDENT IS THE MAIN RESPONSIBLE'

"I'm saying this for the first time. Some things are not normal in the way the club works and it's not good for the club. The main responsibility for this situation lies with Ostoja Mijailovic, the first man of the club, and I have told him this. I don't know what he will do. I'm bringing this up for you for the first time. Zoran Savic, the sporting director, didn't have a contract, but he was running the transfer window. At my insistence we were talking every day and I was surprised to learn that Brandon Davies had left the club and that Osetkowski was going to be signed. I told the president that Osetkowski was not for us at that moment. He told me that they had already signed him. Osetkowski was not signed with my approval, but I must say that he is a very valuable kid. He worked and behaved like a real professional. To be honest, it was not my decision."

'WE ONLY PLAYED WITH ONE BIG MAN'

"I supported the club's idea, but there the players gave us excuses. Then I made a speech on the court, I said that Zoran can't work without a contract like this. I said that the situation we are in is not normal. Zoran working without a contract is not good for the club. Before the season started, I asked us to sign five players, but we couldn't do it. I also begged to keep Isaiah Mike, but we couldn't do it. Bruno Fernando finally arrived, but we had to let go of point guard Frank Ntilikina to bring in Bruno. Then I had two good players injured, Shake Milton and Carlik Jones."

'WE LOST CONTACT THERE'

"We went to Dubai for the first game of the season and then there was the Milan game. I asked the club for a private plane, but they told me they had no budget. Then I asked for business for the players and they told me there was no such space on the plane. But when I got on the plane I saw that there was such a space. After the Milan game, when the fans reacted, the president sent me a message saying, "Thank you for supporting me". When there were attacks on me and the president, I told him that the club had to act immediately and stop the lies. I didn't get any support here, it was a big mistake. I called him immediately but he didn't answer. We have not been in a relationship since that day."

'PARTIZAN IS MY GREATEST LOVE'

"I had a burden at Partizan; my work was not only on the pitch. If I was in this situation at other clubs, I would have left much earlier. I didn't leave because Partizan is my greatest love. It was great. All these things that I couldn't influence influenced my energy and my work. This club will live on without Zeljko Obradovic and all the great names in its history. Fans, you are the strength of Partizan and never forget that; I will always be here for you. I hope this is not my last time in Partizan. I can't say and I don't want to say how and when it will happen, in different circumstances... In better times, I hope if and how it will happen."