Stories from the Other Side – Mladen Rudonja: If Adam Delius had known back then what we were talking about with Mustafa Nukić…

Published on 2. March 2024 2. March 2024

WRITTEN BY: MLADEN RUDONJA. PHOTO: SPORTIDA. GRAPHICS: WPM

Football is anything but just live broadcasts, dry match reports, transfer rumors, and timeless clichés from the main protagonists. What the public sees is only one side of football; it is interesting and often exciting. However, there is also the side that is hidden from the eyes of ordinary mortals. On the other side, things happen that you could not 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. Stories of the main protagonists.

As the first guest storyteller for the Planetnogomet.si portal, Mladen Rudonja joined in. The legendary native of Koper, who scored a goal for the World Cup and later left his mark on events at Olimpija, touched on Mustafa Nukić in his fifth contribution from the other side. He offered a special insight into the story that turned into a real nightmare for the footballer. Mladen Rudonja once again shared a never-heard-before story. A story from the other side.

Mustafa Nukić Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida
If my memory serves me right, it was somewhere in the middle of the second part of the season when Olimpija was taken over by Adam Delius. At that time, the coach of the dragons was still Dino Skender, who, after one of the matches, openly complained that Mustafa Nukić was not active enough in defensive tasks. At that time, I sat down with Dino and explained a few things to him. That Mustafa Nukić is, in fact, a very specific footballer. A footballer you need to talk to a lot. But at the same time, a player who will do anything for you if you show him respect. A bit of respect is enough for him. When you show it to him, he will do everything on the field. Unfortunately, respect is the last thing Mustafa Nukić could get from the current leadership of Olimpija. And if you don’t respect a player like Mustafa Nukić, then you can’t respect Olimpija. It’s just not possible.

A fascinating anecdote tells a lot about this, illustrating the club’s attitude toward Mustafa. When Adam Delius and Igor Barišić outsmarted Robert Prosinečki in the summer of 2022 in a well-known sneaky way, the club president tried to appease the angry fans at that infamous press conference, saying that Olimpija knows how to appreciate its true icons and that Mustafa Nukić will soon extend his contract with Olimpija. Adam Delius loudly emphasized back then that Nuka would sign a three-year deal.
Mustafa Nukić SPINS Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida

The fact is: regarding the contract extension with Nukić, we started talking about it long before that press conference, primarily because Robert Prosinečki liked him a lot as a footballer. He was close to him, appreciated his abilities, and above all, respected him for his loyalty to Olimpija. Nukić was Robi’s main player! I doubt that Adam Delius even knew we were talking.
I doubt he actually cared. If he knew and cared, he probably wouldn’t have said at the press conference that the club is negotiating a three-year extension with Nukić. We were actually talking about a contract that would last for two years. Nukić later, of course, took advantage of Delius’s words; how could he not in that situation… As far as I know, Delius and Barišić reportedly wanted to convince Nukić that a two-year contract would be more appropriate, but… When you say something publicly, when you make a promise, you have to keep it. I have no doubt that it was very difficult for the club’s management. Keeping promises gives them a lot of headaches.

Mustafa Nukić is Olimpija

To be completely honest, it really hurts me to see what is currently happening with Nukić. With a person who loves Olimpija. He couldn’t wait for Olimpija’s call. When he got it, he immediately came to Olimpija. Because he loves this club like crazy. Because he loves the fans. He respects the club, tradition, jersey, emblem. Everything. And when someone experiences a club with such emotions, all of what is happening to Nukić affects him even more. I mean… Imagine: they removed the guy who embodies Olimpija from the team! Just like that. Without a real reason. Someone who loves Olimpija like no one else. None of those people there can love it as much. Mustafa Nukić is Olimpija. He lives for it.
Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida
At the same time, I am crystal clear that people from the management simply do not understand all of this. Because, anyway, they do not understand football. And consequently, in such stories, they actually show their true faces. Then they wonder why people don’t like them, why they don’t trust them. Because everything is the same for them. Because everyone is the same for them. They treat everyone the same. They respect no one. Neither the club nor the fans. Not Olimpija. They don’t even respect themselves.

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When we were discussing the extension of cooperation with Nukić before our departure from the club, the conversation also touched on the fact that he would like to stay at Olimpija after the end of his career. You know, Mustafa is an extremely intelligent, educated young man. A true gentleman. He could do anything, even work in an office. I am confident that he would be extremely successful in that as well. I hope and wish that he will be part of Olimpija again someday. At a time when the club will be led by people who know how to appreciate and respect this club. And people who love it.

Mustafa Nukić Olimpija Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida