Stories from the other side – Mladen Rudonja: A Slovenian club where a handshake is as valuable as signing a contract
Written by: Mladen Rudonja. Photo: Sportida. Graphics: WPM
Football is far more than just live broadcasts, dry match reports, transfer rumors, and timeless clichés from the main protagonists. What the public sees is just one side of football; it is interesting and often exciting. However, there is also the side hidden from the eyes of ordinary mortals. On the other side, things happen that you couldn’t imagine. There are complications, adventures, anecdotes, incredible stories, bitter disappointments, failed plans, and much more. These are the stories from the other side. Their stories. The stories of the main protagonists.
As the first guest storyteller on the Planetnogomet.si portal, Mladen Rudonja joined. The legendary native of Koper, who scored a goal for the World Cup and later left his mark on events at Olimpija, touched on the beginning of the second part of the 2023/24 season in his fourth story from the other side and explained why he believes that Celje will be the one to celebrate the championship title. And why he thinks Celje deserves it. Mladen Rudonja once again told a never-before-heard story. A story from the other side.
Since Valerij Kolotilo has been at the helm of the club, I haven’t had a single bad experience with Celje. But that’s how it is in football: the pyramid goes from top to bottom. If the president is right, if he sets things up well, then it shows in all areas, especially on the field. In all of this Celje story, his signature is more than visible. His work is more than obvious, his signature is such that it would be hard to be more pronounced. And I must admit – I am really happy for Celje. All that is happening to them is not a coincidence. They have deserved all of it. Because they built, worked hard, and wanted it badly. In all segments of running a football club, they took a huge step forward. For this, everyone together can only congratulate them.
But in football, there are no coincidences. The Celje story is a success story also because Valerij Kolotilo and his people are from football. They were already involved in football before and apparently learned that things don’t happen overnight. Their success is the result of long-term work. First, they fought for survival, then they stabilized the club, now they are rightfully where they are. In between, there were quite a few who didn’t hide their doubts. Who were skeptical. But once again, it has been confirmed that in football, patience is a key component on the path to success. Especially when you know what you are doing and are sure you are doing it right. Today, Celje has everything – a good coach, who succeeded another equally good coach, a quality squad, optimism among fans, and also quite a bit of Slovenian influence. On top of that, they have elevated the youth academy to a higher level. The whole picture testifies that Celje is on the right path. For this, I congratulate them and therefore believe that they will be champions this year.
All of the above carries the signature of a man I have talked to and collaborated with many times, a man who has always kept his word. Valerij Kolotilo came from elsewhere, but he respects the league, Slovenian football, and other clubs more than many others. And that is the biggest virtue that Celje has at the moment. That they have a man who handles things as they should be. Without false promises, without bombastic predictions, without unnecessary scandals and bizarre media appearances. I really wish that some other clubs in our country would look up to this. And learn something from it.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet