Zekić: We are starting work, going to Slovenia soon, and I hope the players will be healthy

(Patria) - In the premises of FK Sarajevo, a press conference was held where Zoran Zekić was presented as the new coach of the Koševo team.

At the beginning of his address to the media, Zekić said:

“Good day everyone. Things went quite quickly, since Matthias and I spoke. We know we don't have much time, a very turbulent period is behind us. The first match is in three weeks. I must say from the start, regarding the playing staff, the only person responsible for that is the director Matthias, I only talked about player profiles and what we need to be better and more complete. As for talking to managers, I have no authority, nor desire, nor will. Today I had talks with the Academy director about the direction we will take regarding young players. Thank you to everyone who wished me welcome. I am aware of the weight of this club and that I might already have opposition here. This is not specific only to Sarajevo, I have about 15 years of experience, I can only respond with work and promise that our team will be motivated every training session. I hope they will show quality. Some things take more time, but I am aware that no one will have too much patience. You have probably already heard enough demagoguery and promises,” Zekić began, reports Sport1.

He briefly touched upon plans for the playing staff.

“I have to focus on the roster we have. The director has been with the scouts for some time, but it doesn't depend only on us. I am pleased that today is the first training session and that we are starting intensive work. We will try to explain to the players how we will play. Those three weeks until Europe are really short. The way I have worked so far, I have managed many clubs that played in Europe, I have to incorporate them into the plan and program of preparations. No segment in the league must suffer.”

He also spoke about players who were on loan.

“Both I and the club have an obligation to present ourselves as well as possible in Europe. I followed the Bosnian league a lot. I have friends who worked here. I have a lot of information. The best way is to see firsthand. We don't need to think too much about opponents, so as not to be our own biggest opponents. Regarding players on loan, the director and I are slowly going through it, some players have already been returned. There is little time, I have been here for three days, three days of intensive talks, many things to resolve. Some players are on loan until January, so we will see about the possibility of their return.”

It is known that his friends are Krunoslav Rendulić and Sergej Jakirović.

“We talked. I followed Zrinjski a lot when they played, they were quite dominant. Everyone can give me a million pieces of advice, I have to feel it all myself. I am the most responsible person and it should be that way. I want to give my energy and knowledge to the team, for us all to work together, for us all to enjoy. I know how much it means to the fans too. I simply enjoy football. Even in difficult times, it's all part of football. I said at the beginning that I don't want platitudes. Simply, work needs to be shown. Of course, Sarajevo should always have the highest goals. I have worked in clubs where there was great pressure. The fact is that Sarajevo has not won the title for a few years and that the fans are probably frustrated and dissatisfied. We all secretly hope that we can achieve it, but we talked about a deeper period, but none of you are interested in that, nor journalists, nor fans. Let's work, be humble. I am aware, many pitfalls, the league is quite tricky. You have to be at 150% in every match. I can't wait to get to know each other as soon as possible, in terms of character and everything,” Zekić continued.

He clarified his words about already having “opposition”.

“I didn't mean I have opposition within the club, but generally. I was here as a player. Sometimes things aren't good here even when they are best. I just wanted to say that there will be criticism. I am a foreigner in this city, of course, everyone would prefer to work with people from this city whom they know better. I am not a paranoid type, I don't care too much about it, I don't have social media. I just wanted to say that there is opposition, because every club of this magnitude has it. Don't take my words out of context, I'm glad you asked to clarify. I have no desire for a draw, I have a desire to start working. We have no reason to underestimate any opponent. Throughout history, BiH clubs, apart from Zrinjski, have not had notable results in Europe. There are many tricky teams. I say again, let's at least have the freshest and coldest heads this week.”

Regarding the preparation plan, he said:

“We are going to Slovenia next week. It didn't sit well with me, but we don't have opponents here. We will be there for seven days, I hope we will play three matches and that the players will be healthy,” reported Sport1.