Djalovic: If Manchester City also called, I wouldn’t have left Rijeka then

Rijeka coach Radomir Djalovic (42) awaits the first of the three HNL finals, a visit to Sibenik in the 34th round of the HNL (5 pm), which he has to win if he wants to decide for himself a chance for the title. The people of Rijeka hold a leading position with a point advantage in front of Dinamo and three in front of Hajduk, and next week they are expected to be the first game of the Cup final against Slaven Belupo in Koprivnica, then a visit to Hajduk.

The club soldier is deeply connected with Rijeka, a club who, as he says, has given him a lot as a player and now as a coach. This loyalty particularly came to the fore when Sergej Jakirović He went to Dinamo in September 2023 and wanted to take Djalovic with him.

– Jakirovic is a friend of mine and made a great result. Of course, we hung out outside the football field. And he wanted us all to go with him, from Salatovic, Ivancic, Roguljic … But I felt that I would betray people in Rijeka because I came to the club before him. And they gave me the opportunity. Although I didn’t even mind whether I was going to buy someone or not. That was a normal sequence for me. Believe me if Manchester City came, it wouldn’t be an option for me – Djalovic explained to me Tportal the decision to stay.

Path from Bijelo Polje to Rujevica

Djalovic’s football story, which started in his native Bijelo Polje with Jedinstvo, over a five -year -old mushroom in Red Zvezda, where he shared the locker room, but five years and apartment with Nemanja Vidicreceived a key turn over by arriving in Zagreb in 2002.

– I think I was among the first, if not the first, who came from then Serbia and Montenegro. With that I am Montenegrin. And I have to admit, I think this is something the best that could happen to me at that moment, to come to Zagreb. It was phenomenal to me. I had no inconvenience and, honestly, I didn’t even think about it. I went through my heart, only a wish was to play football. And not that there was no inconvenience, indeed, everyone took care of me. I repeat, that was my best move in my career. The parents and both brothers were proud. Especially the father, today unfortunately the deceased. He was the one who told me, « Son, feel free to go. » So I didn’t even think much at all, it was a great opportunity for me. Then, at that moment, Zagreb was still a champion.

This experience built him, despite some anecdotes like the one from Poljud.

– As far as I remember, we won at Poljud. And they came down under the panel some two fans. They were actually loud, something and shouted and came to me and asked me, « Hey, and where is that Djalovic? ». I realized that it might be dangerous, I think of the same second and tell them, « I have no idea, I think he got into the bus. » And they go to look for me there, and I went to the other side. Although I do not believe that such a situation would have happened if we had not won them.

He also discovered that the late Ciro Blazevic called him to Dinamo immediately after the first season in Zagreb, but that he did not know what had happened, so it was not realized, and it was called Rijeka. But his career led him in the Bundesliga (Arminia Bielefeld), Turkey, then back to Croatia, to Rijeka, where he provided the best games and was the best player of the league under the leadership of Zlatko Dalic.

« Then I played the best football in my career, » he admits.

Are inspired by Klopp and Fonsec

The episodes in Romania (Rapid Bucharest), Russia (Amkar), Iran (where he won the Cup with Sepahan and Cic Kranjcar), China and Thailand, before concluding his playing career in Montenegro, winning the title from the future. Enrollment of coaching licenses proved to be a wise move, and the call of Rijeka to join the professional staff was a dream come true.

– I was happy to get the opportunity to work at the club like Rijeka at all … This club gave me a lot, it means a lot to me – said Djalovic, whose coaching philosophy is based on hard work, analysis and direct football with a lot of pressing, inspired by coaches like Jürgen Klopp and Paul Fonsece.

The road to the top of the HNL was not easy. Djalovic emphasizes the merits of his players

– The players are responsible for bringing themselves and the club into a situation where five games before the end can win two trophies and depend on themselves. It’s a big deal, and the greatest of their merits.

With the approach of the end of the season, the appetites grow.

– When you come to the opportunity like it is now, where you are on a stepping at the title, where you are in the Cup final, it is normal for you to put that pressure yourself and you hope you will win some of those two. Surely we would be satisfied with a trophy, but we are going for both. No calculations, we go to every game as much as possible.

Miskovic made a miracle

His faith in the Rijeka project, despite the sales of key players such as Pasalic, Galešić and Smolčić during the winter break for significant amounts (mentions 16-17 million euros), remains Negiljan. Djalovic speaks with great respect about President Damir Miskovic.

– The man made a miracle. See infrastructure, results for years … It’s a huge difference. I know, everything is progressing, but in the moments where Miskovic took the club, he threatened to fall out in the second league, threatened to go bankrupt. Look at which level is now.

He points out that the sale of players is inevitable, but also a confirmation of good work, and that the club is always ready to find replacements.

– This club is arranged as a family, we are all together, we all hang out. And in such an atmosphere, many players who failed to come outside come to us and revive their careers.

He also touched on the World Cup qualification in which Croatia will play against his Montenegro, whose coach Robert Prosinecki is.

– Robbie was a genius. I call him to add to me, he tells me, ‘Just run, the ball will come, don’t worry.’ And what to say? I am very pleased that he is the coach and that he received the support of the President of the Alliance, regardless of that negative series at the beginning of his term. Prosinecki deserved this support, and he justifies that, because now we already have six points. We are in a group that is difficult, and Croatia is one of the world’s top national teams. It is important for us to show ourselves in the best possible light. And it will certainly not be easy in Montenegro. I remember, when we played, Cico instilled in us players that no one on the home ground could beat us. And I hope we can do something, because Prosinecki knows Croatia very well – Djalovic concluded.