"I'm Not Someone Who Chases Offers!" Željko Obradović Reveals His Return to PAO and Declares: "With Partizan, It Was Like a Fairy Tale!"

"It's a good feeling. This is a special tournament for a man who meant so much to me during the 13 years I spent here. I've always spoken about the special relationship we had; he was like a second father to me. Not just to me, but to everyone who was at Panathinaikos during that period. His energy, his desire to help everyone, was incredible. Together with his brother Thanasis and Kostas, they elevated Panathinaikos, and as I said yesterday, I think he would be incredibly proud to see what this club looks like today. With OAKA renovated and so many people enjoying this atmosphere, recognizing what Panathinaikos has been for years." - Željko Obradović

"It's certainly important for me to have players who have worked with me before. Mathias is here, Bonga is here, and so is Luwawu. There are still many other important players. We're working as much as time allows. Many players had national team obligations, so some returned later, some are injured and still can't practice, but they are present, observing, and generally, there's a good atmosphere. And of course, the help of all these players, in the sense that they probably talk to their teammates about the way I like to work, is very important." - Željko Obradović

"Everyone knows what Partizan means to me and always will. What else can I do but wish Partizan all the best? May God grant them the highest possible achievements this year in all competitions." - Željko Obradović

"Partizan has risen; it's an incredible club in terms of the fans it has and how much people love Partizan. We all know that. We lived, and I'll speak about the period when I was there for four years and a bit more, something that was like a fairy tale. I've always said that, and I'm very proud of that period. I could say I spent wonderful moments, regardless of how it ended. All of us who were at Partizan worked to bring Partizan to its current situation, and God willing, it will become a permanent member of the EuroLeague. I think that would be fantastic for all the people who love Partizan, who hold it in their hearts. It means that the EuroLeague has recognized everything that Partizan means for the competition itself, and once again, I wholeheartedly wish them all the best." - Željko Obradović

"Dimitris was young here, younger of course. He has changed too. We have good cooperation. It was perfectly clear to me when I spoke with him what he wanted from me, just as I assume it's perfectly clear to him what values I need to bring here and how things should look in the future. So, at this moment, we are on the same page, we'll see. This is a large organization. The other day, we had a lunch organized by our president, and there were 135 people with us, all employed by Panathinaikos, in the basketball club. So, we're talking about a basketball club with an incredible number of people, an incredible number of young people who work with great enthusiasm, and that's what I and everyone here feel every day in this beautiful arena." - Željko Obradović

"When I made the decision I made in November, I said I wouldn't make any decisions about my future until June. And that's how it was. Then he called me, we sat down, we talked. That conversation was extremely positive. We understood each other. Ultimately, they presumably had the mandate to sign me, so they signed me." - Željko Obradović

"No, I didn't speak with anyone before Panathinaikos. Whether my agent, whom I've always said is more a friend than an agent, spoke with anyone in the meantime, he surely did, but I always said I wouldn't talk, and I didn't. The first club I spoke with, or rather the first person, was Dimitris Giannakopoulos after the season ended, when they decided that their coach at the time wouldn't continue a few days later. We sat down, he called me, I don't know exactly how much time passed until we met, and that was it. I'm not someone who chases offers; I've never done that. The decision to return here is also something I thought about, weighed, and here I am. With the people I was with for 13 years and for whom I know how much they trust me." - Željko Obradović