Here’s how the coach reacted when he was asked about the shift.
Source: k1 television
Partizan dismissed Igor Duljaj on Monday evening. At the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Black and Whites, a decision was unanimously made to part with the head of the profession who led the team for the last 14 months.
During the meeting of the club’s highest body, Duljaj was a guest on K1 television and shortly after leaving the studio, he received information that he had been fired. At the end of the show, he was asked how he would react to the news of the dismissal and Duljaj spoke visibly under emotion.
“You have to understand one thing, we have repeated it many times, Partizan is bigger than all of us. I am only a small part of history, whatever happens – happens. My heart tells me that I will lead the training tomorrow, now. If they have made a decision I don’t want to, let them bring it back. I know they worry that I might have lost the dressing room, that the players are wrong, and if they didn’t, I would have retired a long time ago they react, I was always honest with them, both when it’s bad and when it’s good, and if it’s not like that, Partizan will have more fans, and that’s me, wherever I am. I really want that Partizan stadium to be full , for the fans to come back. For those chains and padlocks to be removed, for parents to sit with their children, to see famous players from the whole Sports Association. The day when we are as strong as the Partizan Sports Association, we will have a strong Partizan again.”
Source: Dusan Milenkovic/ATAIMAGES
During the show, Duljaj spoke openly about the conversation with the general director Miloš Vazur and the relationship with the sports director Ivica Kralj. He was replaced after four consecutive defeats and after the black and whites had no chance in the fight for the title against Crvena Zvezda and after they were eliminated from the Serbian Cup in the semi-final against their eternal rival, with a defeat in the semi-final.
Duljaj emphasized that he did not want to resign, that he wanted to fight, but the club decided otherwise – and unanimously.
“Football club Partizan” informs the public that at today’s meeting, the Board of Directors of the club made a unanimous decision on the dismissal of coach Igor Duljaj. After analyzing the results in the past period and the current situation and the report of sports director Ivica Kralj, all members of the Board of Directors agreed that it is necessary to urgent measures are taken in order to stabilize the game and results.
The team has crucial matches at the end of the competitive season, and since the current results are not in line with the set goals, a decision was made to change the coach. The team will be led by Albert Nađ, a former member of the coaching staff, as head coach for the rest of the season. “FC Partizan would like to take this opportunity to thank coach Igor Duljaj for everything he has done for the club and wish him luck and success in his future career,” the statement also stated.
(WORLD – M. Š.)