Zeljko Obradovic has officially confirmed his resignation as coach of Partizan Belgrade after four and a half years. On Wednesday, the club published a personal letter from the 65-year-old explaining the reasons for his decision.
Obradovic, who took over Partizan in 2021 and led them back to the EuroLeague after a ten-year absence, speaks in his letter of the “responsibility” he must take on after a disappointing start to the season. He describes his decision as “irrevocable.”
In his letter, the nine-time EuroLeague champion thanks the club officials, his coaching staff, all the players of the past four and a half years, and above all the fans, whose unconditional support has made Partizan “more than just basketball.”
Obradovic under massive pressure recently
The resignation does not come as a complete surprise. In recent weeks, Obradovic had come under increasing criticism after Partizan lost five of its last six EuroLeague games and found itself unusually low in the standings.
Former Bundesliga coach as top candidate for succession
What happens next at Partizan is still unclear. However, discussions about possible successors began immediately. According to “Mozzart Sport,” Andrea Trinchieri, formerly with Bamberg and FC Bayern, is considered the top candidate for the Partizan bench. The Italian, who already coached the club from 2018 to 2020 and won two Serbian cup titles, would be an obvious solution. He knows the club, the fans, and the expectations. Trinchieri most recently coached Zalgiris Kaunas before parting ways in the summer.
