Obradovic Returns to Panathinaikos: "The Fire Still Burns Inside Me"

Zeljko Obradovic is back as head coach of Panathinaikos. The Serbian coach was officially presented in Athens, where he experienced a massive reception before facing the media at the start of his second stint leading the Greek club.

Obradovic, who coached Panathinaikos between 1999 and 2012 and built one of the most successful eras in recent European basketball history, has now signed a three-year contract. In his return, the coach wanted to thank Dimitris Giannakopoulos for his confidence and emphasized the special connection he never lost with the club, the fans, and the city.

"The fire to continue coaching still exists within me," Obradovic said during his presentation. The Serbian coach insisted that the past should not condition this new chapter, though he acknowledged that comparisons will be inevitable. For him, the key will once again be building a united group, with respect, hard work, and a sense of belonging.

The coach also explained that after leaving Partizan in November, he needed time away from basketball to reflect before making a decision. His return to Panathinaikos, he assured, came "at the right moment".

With his return, Panathinaikos recovers a historic figure and opens a new chapter with one of Europe's most decorated coaches. Obradovic made no promises of titles, but rather total dedication: thinking every day about the club, the work, and returning the team to the place its history demands.