A new season brings an exciting host, kicking off with a sports legend from the region…

The series titled (Failure) of the Champion, aired by Youth Sports Games, has reached its third season, with Slaven Bilić stepping into the role of a journalist.

This renowned Croatian football player and coach had the privilege of interviewing the legendary Željko Obradović on his “journalistic debut”.

With a remarkable 64 club trophies and nine European Championship cups to his name, the Serbian basketball legend Željko Obradović hardly needs an introduction—he is unique, a natural winner, and a gentleman who has significantly shaped the world of basketball.

“To put it simply, I can’t be anyone other than myself. I express myself the way I believe a true coach should. I yearn to share everything within me; that’s why so many people attend my training,” Obradović shared.

The school of the streets, but not one leading to ruin

This legendary coach reflected on his challenging beginnings.

“Looking back, we shared everything. Anyone trying to stand out with flashy sneakers or branded T-shirts seemed ridiculous. What mattered back then was having supportive parents, real teachers who educated us about life… But there was also the school of the street—not the one that leads to disastrous choices, but the one that instills true manhood. It teaches you respect for those who deserve it, understanding those who are not genuine, ultimately guiding you towards appreciating real values.”

Bilić noted that albeit tough, the conditions then were ideal.

“Nothing feels better than emerging from that, feeling proud of having endured. It wasn’t easy; you had to fight. Life is a battle. You’re constantly fighting for something in all aspects of life, especially in sports.”

I didn’t sleep for two months after becoming a coach.

He made a pivotal choice when he decided to retire as a player, despite being in excellent condition, to embrace the coaching arena.

“Once you make decisions, you live with them without dwelling on what might have been. No one makes perfect choices all the time. That was true when I ended my playing career and became head coach at Partizan. We faced tough pre-season games, and once the players returned from national teams, the dynamics changed drastically, leading to skepticism from observers. There were nights during this time where sleep eluded me for two months. I needed to be ready to explain every drill, and I committed to staying for the first year without pay for the chance to learn from Professor Nikolić and grow. Looking back, I commend myself: well done, you handled this well,” reflected the legendary Žoc.

Obradović is famously quoted: All I ask of you is to give your best.

“Without that, nothing is possible. Given the number of games, I realize we can’t maintain peak motivation for every match, but I aim to ignite that passion now. We claim the ball together; when it’s ours, we go for it. If you play with heart, the audience will appreciate it. You might miss and lose later, but they will support you because they see your effort. That must become a consistent practice.”

I consider myself a philanthropist; I love people.

Continuing on, he stated…

“I love humanity and if that’s the case, I choose to trust everyone. I don’t believe in a harsh professional environment solely populated by experts. At our core, we are more people than professionals. Trust is essential for building chemistry in a team.”

The conversation shifted toward the new generations. Obradović acknowledged that generational gaps have always existed, yet he emphasized focusing on effective collaboration with younger players.

“如今我的训练对象都是我曾执教过的球员的孩子们。如果我想等到孙子出生 – 我还需工作几年。我努力和他们建立联结，理解当代年轻人面临的挑战。生活是美好的，别人的微笑与快乐至关重要。我知道在球场上我看起来很严格，但在场外我则是另一种人。我努力与年轻人讨论我认为他们也感兴趣的话题。你需要敲响他们的门，然后让他们为你打开。一旦他们打开，这就容易多了。有时他们会关上那扇门。”

He believes he and his players will always function as a unified team.

“The quicker you clarify this, the smoother it will be. Generational gaps exist and will continue to exist… Times have shifted; we previously had fewer options in life. Yet, even among the best players today, dedication remains paramount.”

This is merely the beginning—Obradović will share invaluable life lessons with Bilić in the second segment of the show Un(success) champion.

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