Reports from multiple Serbian outlets on Wednesday indicate that Zeljko Obradovic’s tenure at Partizan may have reached its end following the club’s heavy EuroLeague loss to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.
Sportklub detailed three versions of events surrounding the fallout from Tuesday’s 91-69 defeat, noting that the situation escalated rapidly overnight.
One scenario describes Obradovic offering his resignation to club president Ostoja Mijailovic, with the expectation that the board would reject it and issue public support.
Another suggests the veteran coach stood firmly by his earlier statements that the head coach must take responsibility for poor results, signaling a clear intention to part ways after four and a half years in charge.
A third version claims Obradovic did not return to Belgrade with the team and remained in Athens after the loss.
As Serbian media attempted to verify the developments, several major outlets published their own findings.
Nova reported that Obradovic told team officials in the hotel after the game that “he can’t do this anymore,” adding that he felt players were no longer responding to him but noting that no official resignation had been submitted.
Telesport, however, stated that the resignation was final and that the 65-year-old coach had already decided to end his stint with the club.
Mozzart Sport used the phrase “submitted resignation” in its headline but wrote that Obradovic had merely offered to step down, with the board expected to discuss whether the offer would lead to a permanent separation.
Kurir published that Obradovic did not travel back with the squad, reinforcing speculation of an imminent departure.
The reports followed Partizan’s collapse in Athens, where Panathinaikos delivered a 25-0 run between the third and early fourth quarters.
Kendrick Nunn led the Greens with 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Panathinaikos finished with 44 rebounds and 25 assists in a balanced display.
Partizan opened strong with 31 first-quarter points but went cold from three, shooting 4-of-24 and scoring only six points in the third quarter.
Sterling Brown’s 16 points and Nick Calathes’ nine were the most productive contributions for the Serbian side, which fell to 4-9 in the standings.
The loss added Partizan to a growing list of EuroLeague clubs making coaching changes this season, following departures in Milan, Barcelona, and Belgrade’s rival Crvena Zvezda.
Panathinaikos improved to 9-4 and will host Valencia in Round 14, while Partizan prepares for Bayern Munich as the club awaits clarity on its coaching situation.
