Zeliko Obradović discussed his return “home” and the new chapter that lies ahead for him with Panathinaikos, in an interview he gave to the “clover’s” official YouTube channel.

He spoke about his feelings regarding being back on the green bench, his special bond with the Giannakopoulos family, the philosophy with which he intends to lead the team into this new era, and he also sent a message to the fans.

How do you feel about returning to this stadium, being back in this office, and sitting once again on the Panathinaikos AKTOR bench? “I’ve already
said this a few times. I’m truly very happy to be back here. I started working about ten days ago with everyone here to get a sense of the changes that have taken place since I left the club. I’m very, very happy to be here. Every day I’m at the offices with my colleagues, trying to sort out all the details so that everything is ready for us to start our preseason preparations in the best possible way.”

Looking around you, how much has Panathinaikos really changed compared to the club you remember from your first, historic tenure?
“Yes, a lot has changed. It’s now a truly exceptional organization. Everyone who works here is a very serious professional. Young people, with a great deal of enthusiasm. And of course, the facilities we now have at the OAKA are completely different. The training center, all the infrastructure. Everything is truly beautiful.”

June 22, 2026—an otherwise ordinary Monday morning—and more than 5,000 people came just to see you at your presentation. What went through your mind when you saw them, and did you expect all of this?
“No, of course not. We said as much at the press conference with Dimitris Giannakopoulos. I didn’t expect it. When I walked out, it was a huge surprise for me. I want to thank everyone who came here to support me. I always insist on one thing: we must all be one family. The fans are the most important part of this club, because without them, nothing makes sense. So, once again, I thank them. And I’d really like to ask them to stand by us during the tough times. They already know this, and they always support the team and the club.”

As you’ve already mentioned, you decided to return very quickly, knowing that your bond with the Giannakopoulos family has always been legendary. Did that bond play a decisive role?
“Without a doubt. Everything we experienced here was truly like a family. That’s how Mr. Pavlos, Thanasis, and Kostas treated me. And of course Dimitris, who was younger back then. We’re talking about a man who truly wants to do everything for Panathinaikos. Our conversation was very open, and we both realized that this was a great opportunity for me. And once again, I thank him for bringing me back here.”

Your relationship with Pavlos Giannakopoulos, as you just mentioned, has always been iconic. Could you share with us a story or perhaps a characteristic quote of his that truly captures who he was as a person?
“Look, I’ve spoken about this many times. Many people ask me about Mr. Pavlos and the other two brothers. But if we’re talking specifically about Mr. Pavlos, he was a man who was here almost every night with Mr. Thanasis. They would go to each of us individually to ask if we were facing any problems. They always did so in a very kind and thoughtful way, trying to help all of us—and me in particular. In the 13 years we worked together, I never once—not even for a moment—had the slightest problem with him. There was mutual respect. Of course, I respected him because he was the president and an elder. We shared wonderful moments together. He was a leader in every sense of the word. As I said, he always tried to help—first and foremost me as a coach, and everyone who worked here. He truly cared about everyone.”

You’ve participated in most of the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournaments as a coach for other teams. How do you feel about representing Panathinaikos for the first time this year as its coach? “It will
certainly be a different experience. But I believe that all of Europe knows who Mr. Pavlos was, and everyone wants to participate in this tournament. I’m very happy that, this time, I’ll be on our side.”

How important is it for you to have players like Kostas Sloukas, Matías Lesor, and Isaac Bonga, who are already familiar with your expectations and philosophy? “I
believe we already had a very good roster. Together with the new players, I think we’ll be at a level where we can compete with any team. The EuroLeague is extremely difficult. And the Greek league will also be very different this year. You mentioned some names, such as Kostas, Matias, and Isaac, whom I’ve coached in the past. I believe this is a great help both for me and for them, because we already know each other. We need to build the chemistry we need, based on mutual respect. For me, all the players are and will be important. From the very first moment, I’ll try to explain to them what’s expected here, what it means to be a Panathinaikos player, and of course what hard work means—just as always.”

What philosophy will Panathinaikos AKTOR embody in the new season?
“The balance between offense and defense is extremely important. We have many talented players, but we have to play as a team. That’s the key to everything. The philosophy is very simple. The team is more important than any one of us, even me. If we all think this way, then everything will be much easier.”

You’ve said many times that the past is in the past. Looking only at the present and this new beginning, what would make you look back at the end of each season and say, “We did it”?
“The present and the future are much more important. I want to see a team that fights. I want our fans to be happy with the way we play after every game. I believe that’s more important than anything else.”

If you had to describe your relationship with Athens—one of your favorite cities, as you’ve said in the past—in just one word, what would it be?
“Happiness. That’s the word, without a doubt. It’s an amazing city, and I’ve always had a connection with it. They did me the honor of naming me an honorary citizen of Athens, so in a way, I consider it my city, too.”

Can you share a message with Panathinaikos fans ahead of the new season?
“As I said, I want them to understand after every game that the team and all of us who work for it give it our all. That’s the first step we need to take. Beyond that, I’m aware of the expectations. I know that this club was built to compete for every title in every competition, and that’s exactly what we’ll strive to do.”

And finally, these two photos with Dimitris Diamantidis and Mike Batiste. What feelings does each of these evoke in you?
“I’ve spoken many times about this first photo, the one with Diamantidis at the Final Four in Barcelona. It was a moment when our body language said it all. It’s one of the best photos of my coaching career. The second one is with Mike. Everyone knows very well that Mike was the foreign player who spent the most years playing for Panathinaikos, and that didn’t happen by chance. He, too, is a part of this club. I’m truly very happy that both of these people will be here so we can work together. I believe this will be something truly wonderful for our fans. And, once again, I must thank Dimitris Giannakopoulos for giving me the opportunity to bring them back. I always insist on one thing. Some may say that we’ve already understood my message, but I want us to be one family. With these two people, as well as with those who are already here, I believe we have everything we need to create the atmosphere we want.”

*photo source: KYPE