Maribor captain Martin Milec admits “I’m sorry Ante Šimundža had to leave the coaching bench”
Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida
Maribor will play their second match tonight under the guidance of Boštjan Cesar. The task will be far from easy, as playing in Murska Sobota is never simple. Team captain Martin Milec, who is determined to help secure a new three-point package, admitted before the match against Mura that he had mixed feelings when the Turkish decision-makers at Ljudski vrt decided that Ante Šimundža had to leave.
“We spoke the same day he left the club. Of course, it was emotional. I often mention that Mr. Milanič and Mr. Šimundža are the coaches I learned the most from in my career and respect the most. As both a player and coach, Ante led Maribor’s story in a positive direction during both of his tenures. But the people responsible for these decisions made their choice,” emphasized the 33-year-old Martin Milec in an interview for Sportal. He added: “I regret it – and I believe many of my teammates do too – that Ante left, but that’s professionalism. We move forward, and our goal is clear. We want to bring the championship title back to Maribor.”
And Boštjan Cesar? Has the team from the Styrian capital already embraced him as their coach? Not everyone in Maribor is thrilled about having a Ljubljana-born man at the helm of the purple team…
“So far, I haven’t noticed any issues with Boštjan Cesar being our coach. People talk, of course, and have their preferences, but reality is what it is. We must accept it. I know the environment here well. Many in Maribor would prefer a local coach, a Maribor native or someone from Styria. But in the end, we have to accept the decisions of those responsible. I believe we’ll build a great story with Boštjan. If we have good results, it will be beneficial for everyone. Now, we need to get to know each other and connect as quickly as possible. I already know Boštjan as a teammate, but I’m getting to know him as a head coach. We’ve only been working together for a week. He also needs to adapt to us, and we to his way of working. Given his career experience, I believe this adaptation will be easier for both sides,” said Martin Milec in the interview, which you can read in full at this link.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet