Former sports director of Olimpija, Simon Sešlar, revealed: Jan Oblak was a target for Liverpool, but an injury hindered the trial
Photo: YouTube (NK Celje) - screenshot & Vid Ponikvar / Sportida
When Jan Oblak, now one of the best goalkeepers in the world, broke into the first team of Olimpija as a teenager, it didn’t take long for foreign clubs to knock on the doors of Ljubljana’s team because of him. Jan Oblak left the green and white after his first season in the 1. SNL, signing with Benfica. As revealed by the former sports director of Olimpija, Simon Sešlar, more than 13 years later, the current captain of Slovenia was also a target for the English giant Liverpool during that period.
“Big things started happening quickly,” Simon Sešlar emphasized as a guest on the Celje football club’s podcast. He then revealed how, in December 2009, they actually traveled to the Island with Oblak.
“Many people don’t know that a few months before signing the contract with Benfica, we were actually in Liverpool for training. I was with him, but when he tried to complete the training, he couldn’t due to a muscle injury from Olimpija’s last December match that year. He tried, but it didn’t work out. In the evening, we went to Liverpool’s match, where they thanked us but said it made more sense for him to come in January when he’s healthy again,” explained the now 49-year-old Simon Sešlar.
However, when the goalkeeper from Škofja Loka returned to Anfield next time, he was already a global star. Liverpool had the opportunity but let it slip through their fingers. “After his return, things quickly developed further. Benfica was very eager, aggressive. Interestingly, Atletico already appeared at that time and was very involved. I think Jan’s further path was already outlined then. I believe people from Atletico already had everything planned,” added Simon Sešlar, who is currently the coach of Rudar from Velenje. You can listen to the entire podcast in the attached recording below.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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