The individual who has achieved remarkable success—twice an Olympic champion, three-time European champion, and world champion just once—now aims to restore Montenegro’s legacy in the realm of water polo.

In an official announcement, Dejan Savić, a distinguished coaching figure, has been appointed as the new head coach of Montenegro, having inked a four-year agreement with the Water Polo and Swimming Federation.

This water polo authority, who dominated the scene with Serbia for nearly ten years, arrived in Montenegro and conducted his inaugural press conference today. Shortly, he will embark on his first training sessions and face challenges with the “sharks.”

“We must revitalize the visibility of Montenegrin water polo in Europe. I’m not here merely for the outcomes. The current infrastructure, supported by these players, is not malfunctioning; I didn’t come to fix it but to discover how to activate it and steer it forward,” remarked Montenegro’s new head coach.

Savić is the fourth coach for our national team, following Petar Porobić, Ranko Perović, and Vladimir Gojković.

“It’s not just an honor for me to be here, given the rich tradition of Montenegrin water polo, but it is also significant due to the esteemed coaches who preceded me, with whom Montenegrin water polo has every reason to be proud since the 1950s. This carries an immense responsibility,” the Serbian coach emphasized.

Having secured 17 medals with Serbia, Savić remains grounded and eager to achieve success while coaching Montenegro.

“Naturally, I consulted with Gojković, and I reached out to every coach working with Montenegrin players. Seeking guidance is essential; there is no room for vanity in our profession,” Savić stated clearly.

Montenegro has the potential to excel

When he took the helm of the Serbian team for his first major tournament, he faced elimination by Montenegro at the 2013 World Cup. Since then, he has mostly enjoyed victories against our national team and others, but the “sharks” have always posed a formidable challenge.

“Montenegro has consistently been a tough opponent, sharing a similar mentality and character. Right now, we need to address the psychological aspect—Montenegro can and should be a leader in world water polo. Teams will have to respect us when they face us,” he added.

The accomplished coach recognizes the key areas that need enhancement for Montenegro to reach the top tier.

“There are no issues with the goalkeeping and center positions, but we must refine the backs’ gameplay. Moreover, with new rules on the horizon, some believe that water polo can exist without centers. While I partially agree, I think this could work, but not in the long run. Every player must be capable of covering multiple positions,” Savić explained.

We can identify over 27 candidates for the A team

Preparations for the A division World Cup qualifying tournament will commence on Monday in Kotor, with the tournament scheduled from January 6-12 in Otopeni, Romania. This marks Savić’s first undertaking, during which he has called up 27 players.

“The list is not final—I am certain that I need to explore further. We could have more than 27 candidates, ultimately to select the best 18,” Savić expressed confidently.

He also stressed that he would not create a divide between younger and seasoned players.

“Primarily, players need to acclimate to my approach, and by the time the Olympic Games in Los Angeles arrive, they will be three years older. If anyone deserves to play, age will not be a barrier. I will generally lean towards younger players, and I believe my system is easily adaptable,” he added.

Focus on Youth Development, Ferrari, and Fiji…

In terms of youth, the new head coach plans to place significant emphasis on developing young talent without imposing excessive pressure.