By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
After the Game 4 of the Greek finals Zeljko Obradovic was asked about his future in Panathinaikos. It was clear by his answer that he wants to stay in Athens, but there isn’t yet a final decision and there also something that must be done by the owners in order to sign him: “Honestly, I believed that this was my last game in OAKA and probably the last game in SEF. It’s not a question if I like to continue. Never the question was that. It will not matter also if we win the championship or not. Nothing to do with this. Our season was excellent. The results doesn’t matter. Is it normal situation to be the coach of one club after 13 years. Is it also time to talk about this after the Game 4 of the finals?”
It was pointed out to him that Sir Alex Ferguson is the coach of MU football team for 25 years and his reaction was: “I love this club. I love Panathinaikos. I would like to stay 36 years, but it’s not my decision”. So what seems to be the problem? As you have read in Eurohoops.net there is a Panathinaikos’ plan for the next day, Zoc seems positive to it, but something yet does not feels right to Obradovic in order to stay as the coach of the team.
The sure thing is that he is proud of his team: “I want to thank my players for their effort, that is evident in rebounds, specially in comparison with the third game. I must say specially tonight thanks to my three oldest players, Batiste, Jasikevicius and Diamantidis. They gave a great example. I am very proud that I coach them. I am better coach because of them and also a better person. I want to say thanks to our fans, they created a special atmosphere and they helped us. Game 5 between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos is something special and everybody wants to see it”