Partizan Fans' Open Letter to Željko Obradović Amidst Panathinaikos Rumors: "A Move to Another Club Would Be a Historic Debacle"

✍🏻 An Open Letter to Željko Obradović Dear Željko, When you returned to Partizan in 2021, you didn't just bring trophies back to our cabinets. You brought back faith. Faith that Partizan could once again be a European giant, that one day it would be free, and that this club is worth fighting for, regardless of the current circumstances. That's why today, as there's increasing talk and speculation about your potential move to Panathinaikos, we want to remind you of what you know best: being a Partizan supporter has never meant choosing the easy path. Being a Partizan supporter means fighting. Constantly. Especially after a statement that no Partizan fan has forgotten, one that still echoes in all our minds to this day: “I don't see myself anywhere but at this club. I will either be here or I won't work!” For us, those words weren't just a casual statement. They became a promise, a pillar of support in difficult times, and a reason to believe that Partizan and the Grobari (Partizan fans) could truly count on their Žoc. Therefore, a move to another club, no matter how big, would be perceived by the vast majority of fans as a historic debacle. Not out of disrespect for your career, but because we believed, and still believe. We urge you to gather skilled and capable individuals around you, ready to save our club from faltering, to return and continue our shared dream. Perhaps one day, that Tenth title will come. But let it be with Partizan. Because a Tenth title with any other club would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of all of us whose faith was restored by your return to the place where a golden coaching career began with a EuroLeague title in 1992. And finally, we pose a rhetorical question: “Isn't madness sometimes a good thing?” Sincerely, Concerned Partizan Fans

I am proud and happy that the fans displayed a banner saying I am one of them. I am proud and happy to be Partizan's coach. I have no doubt about my future. It was worth being born and experiencing something like this. I thought a lot about it. The support of the people who called me after the Cup, as well as the support of the fans, means a great deal to me. This tradition must continue. My heart is full when I see the arena packed with children. I am very proud of that, because a new generation of Partizan fans is being born. I don't see myself anywhere but at Partizan. I will either stay here, or I will no longer work.

“Dear Partizan fans, Four and a half years ago, I returned to my beloved club and embarked on the most beautiful dream with you. My desire and goal were for our Partizan to once again become a part of the EuroLeague after 10 years, and we all succeeded in that. Our beloved club's games became something more than just basketball, thanks to you, who are most responsible for it. Unfortunately, the time has come when I had to take responsibility for all the bad things that happened this season and submit my irrevocable resignation. I want to thank everyone who helped our club all these years: the club president and all members of the Board of Directors, all staff members of the club, as well as all sponsors. I am very grateful to all the players who were with us during these four and a half years, the members of my coaching staff (as I've often said, the best I've ever had), and of course, a big thank you to all Partizan fans! Thank you for your unconditional support, respect, and love you've given me all these years at every opportunity! Always one of you, eternally grateful! Željko Obradović”