Zeljko Obradovic: It was an honor and pleasure to be a member of a big club like Fenerbahce

Zeljko Obradovic’s statement after the decision to leave Fenerbahce.

“Last week, I had extremely warm and trustful conversations with President Ali Koc, Vice President Semih Ozsoy and General Manager Maurizio Gherardini. We agreed that I take few days in a family atmosphere back in Belgrade to decide in calm. I took one of my hardest decisions in life with my family that in this moment I have made the decision  to take a time out for one year.

“After seven fantastic years the only thing left for me is to thank from the bottom of my heart the ex-President Aziz Yildirim and his board and the current president Ali Koc, the Vice President Semih Ozsoy and their board for the support they gave me during those times. I would like to mention the support that our partners gave us throughout those years like the Ulker family, the Dogus group, Beko and all others who have been supporting us. Next, I would like to thank the office staff which was lead by General Manager Maurizio Gherardini with whom we shared incredible moments. Also, all my members of the coaching and medical staff for everything we did together and especially for the extraordinary relationships we had even in difficult times. A big thanks to all players that I worked with in the last seven years. They are the most important ones that performed those outstanding results. Special thanks to all without whom this job makes no sense, the fans. They have been showing us endless support and love in every moment during those wonderful seven years. There were so many moments that they gave us that I will never forget in my life.

“It was an honor and pleasure to be a member of a big club like Fenerbahce. This is a new beginning for Fener and not the end and I am sure that the fans will for sure continue to support the club and that they will celebrate again great sportive moments like we did before.