This summer marked the conclusion of a nine-year tenure for Vladimir Gojković as the head coach of Montenegro’s national water polo team, following the Olympic Games in Paris, while the last days of November ushered in a new era.

Taking the helm of the “sharks” bench just over a month ago is Dejan Savić, another renowned player from the former Yugoslavia. He’s not only a celebrated athlete but also a coach who has achieved remarkable success with Serbia and is a significant figure in the realm of world water polo.

While Dejan Savić’s reputation as a player is well-documented, his stature has only grown in the coaching realm. In summary, as a selector, he has now become a towering figure.

Among the current coaches, whether at the club or national level, it’s rare to find a name that carries as much prestige as the widely admired Deki. Montenegro is fortunate to have such a prominent figure leading the senior team now, and it’s crucial to capitalize on this opportunity. Initially, the goal is to reignite the fight for medals at major competitions, and once that level is achieved, the focus will shift to winning them…

While Savić cannot guarantee success—something that does not exist in sports—he is undeniably a symbol of high ambition. The same ambition to restore the “sharks” to elite status was reflected by the Water Polo Association of Montenegro, which had a clear goal to hire the 49-year-old from Belgrade as their selector.

“WE WILL BE READY FOR THE FIRST RIDE“

Ten days ago, Savić convened the national team for the start of preparations for the A Division World Cup qualifying tournament (scheduled for January 6 to 12 in Romania), and in his initial interview with “Vijesti,” he referenced his earlier comments made during the presentation in Podgorica on December 21.

At that time, he remarked that “the machine created by the players hasn’t broken down; instead, he has come to start it up.”

– Everything takes time to fall into place—just a bit more oil, add some fuel, clear away the rust, and we’ll be ready for our first run. So far, my impressions from the start of preparations are positive; the candidates are working hard and showing resilience, – Savić expressed enthusiastically.

The tournament in Romania offers an ideal testing ground for Savić and the “sharks,” especially since they won’t face the pressure of needing to qualify. Montenegro is set to host the Superfinal of the World Cup, thus securing their spot in the finals.

– The organization has made our job easier, allowing us to concentrate on our performance rather than being overly concerned with the outcome. Our focus should be on playing cohesively and minimizing mistakes, – noted Savić.

As for the team Savić will have at his disposal and how much improvement can be expected? Montenegro no longer boasts top-tier players; the era of siblings Janović, Vladimir Gojković, Boris Zloković, Predrag Jokić, Aleksandar Ivović, Miloš Šćepanović, and others has come to a close.

These are different times, and it’s no coincidence that our national team last claimed a medal at a major competition five years ago at the European Championship in Budapest (bronze).

– I dislike making comparisons across generations; there’s really no valid basis for doing so. It’s akin to debating who was better—Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson. It’s simply nonsensical, – Savić stated clearly.

Following Vladimir Gojković, who had been in charge since September 2015, Savić succeeded as coach, taking over from a former teammate and close friend with whom he often discusses water polo. After assuming the role, Savić revealed that Gojković had remarked that “Savić’s arrival is the best thing that could have happened to Montenegrin water polo.”

– Naturally, Vlado and I kept in touch! He shared a lot with me. But what exactly? That’s something I’ll keep to myself… Gojković has made substantial contributions to water polo and should always be acknowledged, as he embodies a wealth of knowledge. My feelings might be subjective since he feels like a younger brother to me—he’s an ally and an incredible person, – Savić reflected on the previous coach, a legend in Montenegrin sports.

MONTENEGRO WATER POLO HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THE GLOBAL SCENE

What, then, is Montenegro’s standing in the world of water polo? Savić does not assert that his appointment alone elevates the profile of the former European champions, who last competed in the semi-finals of an EP, WC or OI in January 2020.

– Montenegrin water polo has always been—and will remain—a significant element of the global scene. That reputation was established long ago; it’s merely a matter of achieving results and fostering continuity of success.

During his tenure leading Serbia from 2012 to 2022, Savić experienced both results and success, even if things didn’t go as initially planned. At his first major competition with the “dolphins,” the World Championship in Barcelona, his team faced elimination in the quarter-finals against Montenegro, who would go on to become the vice-champions of the world.

A year later, Serbia triumphed over our national team in the semi-finals of the European Championship in Budapest, despite holding a four-goal lead on three different occasions. Following that, they secured the title, which perhaps tipped the scales of history in their favor. From there, the victories piled up…

– What transpired with Serbia now serves as a cherished memory. To address whether that victory signified the start of a streak of dominance, I would first note Montenegro’s win over Serbia in the World Cup quarter-finals in 2013. That match significantly influenced subsequent events, illustrating that sometimes, setbacks can lay the groundwork for monumental achievements…

Anyone familiar with water polo knows how successful Serbia became post that victory over the “sharks”: three consecutive European championships (2014, 2016, 2018), a world championship (2015), and two Olympic gold medals (2016, 2021)…

All of this occurred, of course, under Savić’s guidance and his distinctive charisma that captivated everyone by the water, which clarifies why the Montenegrin audience has faith that such a coach can elevate them to new heights.

Dejan Savić has claimed 16 medals as the coach of Serbia, with 14 of those being gold, including two Olympic victories—Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021. He’s also accumulated gold and bronze medals from world championships…

What does Savić consider a satisfactory outcome for a team that hasn’t reached a semi-final in five years? He answered unequivocally:

– Only medals signify success. I believe that answer is clear, – stated the fourth head coach in the history of the Montenegrin water polo national team.

The Arabs Recognized the Seriousness of Negotiations with VPSCG

Dejan Savić’s role as the head coach of the Montenegrin water polo national team isn’t his only position—he also manages the Saudi club Al Kadisi, where he has been employed since November of last year.

His commitment to the Middle East initially posed a challenge in his transition to the “sharks,” but negotiations concluded successfully. Savić will maintain both roles until the summer, after which he will focus solely on the Montenegrin national team.

– Negotiations with the Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro lasted about ten days. We could have reached an agreement sooner if my involvement in Saudi Arabia hadn’t caused complications. Ultimately, the Arab leaders recognized the seriousness and significance of the discussions, and I’m very grateful for their understanding and concessions, – Savić mentioned.

The latter months of 2024 were also characterized by “World Aquatics” introducing new water polo regulations in their competitions—featuring shorter court dimensions, reduced attack times, and more. This was met with resistance from coaches and players across Europe, although no modifications have yet been implemented.

– Will the new rules be advantageous to us? Rather than focusing on whether they will favor us or anyone else, our priority should be to adapt as swiftly as possible— to integrate these changes without delay, – Savić concluded.

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