Director of Dragons Igor Barišić is more than satisfied with the state of the club from Ljubljana: “Financially, Olimpija has never been this stable!”

Published on 7. September 2024 7. September 2024

Photo: Vid Ponikvar/ Sportida

At one point, he was one of the most unpopular figures among the fans of Olimpija, but today the supporters of the green-and-whites “eat out of his hand” and have a significantly better opinion of him than before. All of this is understandable: when the results are not at the expected level, critics are always loud. When the results are good, there are no reasons for dissatisfaction. Igor Barišić has persistently defied everything that has come his way over the past two years, and now he claims that Olimpija has never been in such good shape as it is at this moment.

“Its health is the best in the club’s history. Financially, it has never been so stable and has never had such a realistic and clear image. Last year we had unexpected revenues, we played in Europe, and we sold players. We are planning a budget of six million euros. But it is also about organization; the sponsorship pool is increasing, and marketing and advertising are improving. For example, we have never sold as many jerseys as we do now. Previously, our stores generated an annual loss of 90,000 to 100,000 euros, now they are profitable,” emphasized Igor Barišić in an interview for Delo, the right hand of the club president Adam Delius.

Igor Barišić: “We have resolved 98 percent of all disputes”

The businessman from Germany with roots in Croatia added: “We work responsibly, and I can assure you that there is no more transparent club in the broader environment or the region. We have resolved 98 percent of all disputes, including debts to Savo Milošević and Robert Prosinečki, and we are working to ensure there will be no more. We are operating positively (in the past budget period, Olimpija had good revenues of nine million euros, editor’s note). Can it be even better? Always; there is always a lack of quality people in the offices, even two or three in the sports part of the team.”

Igor Barišić also responded in an interview for the central Slovenian newspaper to the question that “there are also criticisms that Olimpija does not pay for services, that it owes money“. “It depends on who is speaking and complaining. First, let me clarify the hierarchy; I am the first under President Delius, a private individual and investor. He oversees the club, and it is harder for him than for colleagues in Barcelona, Leipzig, and other big clubs. I have a responsibility to the president, to the employees, to ensure that the financial situation is always positive. In the past, it was customary for Olimpija to squander money. I simply do not understand the contracts that were made under Milan Mandarić’s leadership. They were unrealistic with various suppliers and service providers. Commissions for agents as well. But I assure you, everything that was agreed upon legally will be paid. Every contract, but realistic. I will not allow Olimpija to be exploited, as some are literally mocking and exaggerating; Olimpija will only deal with such people in court,” Igor Barišić firmly emphasized, the director of the club that leads in the Prva liga Telemach and has qualified for the Conference League for the second consecutive time.