Former Partizan player and coach, Aleksandar Stanojevic signed a three-year coaching deal with the club. This is his third coaching spell at the club. In his first reign, Stanojevic won two titles and a cup trophy as well as reaching the group stage of Champions League. In his second spell, Stanojevic won no trophies but reached knockout stage of UEFA Conference League while 98 points were enough for runners-up spot in the domestic league only.
All together, Stanojevic coached Partizan in 175 competitive matches, winning 133, drawing 19 and losing 23.
Partizan Sporting Director Ivica Kralj introduced coaching returnee:
-I have a pleasure to introduce our new coach but I don`t think introduction is needed. We were teammates from our Partizan youth days and we know each other all too well. You all know Stanojevic`s coaching qualities and it`s on me to wish him all the luck on behalf of all of us here at the club. I have no doubts we`ll have good results.
Aleksandar Stanojevic addressed media reps after the intro:
-Here I am again and the reason I`m here is that I didn`t finish mu job last time around. I left when I shouldn`t have and it was a mistake. Moreover, I`m here as I have my ambitions and I see this as a challenge, as any coach would. I didn`t have a slightest idea I would be back, I was contacted recently and when this club calls you up, you need to think about it. I got assurances we will get new faces in all club`s departments and I saw Partizan determination to move forward. I`m also happy to sign a three-year deal as I think we need time to do certain things. Now, I`m gonna go all the way, all together with as much fans as possible.
However, I`m just a coach, I shouldn`t be talking about changes within the club structure. I can only say we need new faces in every sense. I want us to reach another level. I`m better coach now and I was assured we will all move forward. That`s all, I didn`t have any special requests.
Also, I was not happy with things going on in Serbian football and I`m a coach who always wants to do a job. I`ll focus on my job, on my team, on the pitch itself. That`s the best coach can do. We are entering a battle time.
We don’t have much time. I spoke to Sporting Director and we know what we need. Unfortunately, time doesn`t exist here. We work on new signings and hope we`ll get some very soon.
We have our stance and our desires but let`s wait for Slovenia pre-season and after that we`ll have a clear info on who is going to depart. I`m always up for getting Partizan kids back to the club and we have some ideas regarding that matter.
We need to strengthen defensive lines, left-back to start with. Club has some good offers for current players and we will make signings in accordance to it.
I have added six new people to the coaching staff as you always need new energy. We have Kokovic who is renowned football expert himself. He had offer from abroad but he felt there is a challenge here. When he worked in Vozdovac, he was known for his attacking continuity. That`s why I hired him as well as Kuljic who has SSL experience. New physio is young but full of experience. I`m here to do an upgrade and we have three years in total to do things.
It`s always a bad moment to come here, it was the same in my two previous spells. I believe we can sign good players for highest aims. We have to raise the level of cooperation with the youth academy, to use our kids more. It`s always a failure if you don`t win the title here, that`s why I left last time around, although I was sad as we had a respectable team back then. I hope I`ll manage to have a competitive team in all competition on such a short notice.
We always underestimate our league. I worked in Turkey and they had less representative in Europe compared to Serbia. Our league is more competitive now, we have some excellent young coaches around. Teams like Vojvodina or TSC will be even stronger this season, Radnicki 1923 with a new coach as well. Cukaricki is always there too. Newcomers Jedinstvo UB with Nemanja Matic too. We just need more fine football grounds.
Ivica Kralj on new signings:
-We are close to signing some new players but we need to wait a bit as we are financially limited at the moment. I believe we`ll have one or two newcomers before we depart to Slovenia for a pre-season camp. As for the departures, we`ll have to see with General Director.
