The “Varvari” supporters of Budućnost have released an official statement addressing recent occurrences at the football club, particularly regarding its 100th anniversary and the current relationship with coach Ivan Brnović…

We present their statement in full…

“Following the most recent match and the unrest stemming from dissatisfaction with the club’s situation, the tension that has been brewing for some time has reached a peak just as we should be celebrating the club’s centenary. We feel compelled to voice our concerns.

We have predominantly fought for a better Budućnost by ourselves, but for the sake of those who cherish the club, for the citizens of Podgorica, and for the wider audience who may not grasp why we oppose a coach who has won a title, we must clarify our stance against coach Brnović.

Since his hiring, which was dictated by political affiliations rather than merit, his overreach has been evident—from the locker room to the pitch. He stands as the only individual in football history to simultaneously hold the roles of coach, club president, executive director, sports director, secretary, PR manager, treasurer, and even janitor.

From his initial altercations with fans and the unfortunate incident involving his minor child, which was ultimately revealed to stem from a misunderstanding, he has embarked on a war against the supporters, even going so far as to make unfounded accusations against them. Despite assurances made during our first meeting with him to mend relationships, he has disregarded all commitments and persists in his conflict with fans, targeting them for trivial things like lighting flares and even seeking to expel his own supporters from matches, which is unprecedented in football. Reports have surfaced of him involving the police against people simply viewed unfavorably.

In his sporting capacity, if that even applies to him, he has overstepped his boundaries, making decisions that are beyond his scope as a coach, such as altering the supervisory board and appointing executives—all while relying on the backing of his political supporters. He frequently appeals to the government for every decision and problem he faces while complaining that the Varvari are shielded by the establishment. Such irony.

He has terminated multi-year contracts with players, resulting in a financial blow of approximately €400,000 to the club, and despite leading the best team in the league—one that would likely secure the title under nearly any management—he chose to raise salaries and bonuses for all, including himself, nearly doubling them. Notably, he concluded the previous season in third place and faced cup elimination this year due to his own misjudgment.

Moreover, his envy and arrogance culminated in a poor decision during a crucial match for the youth team in the Champions League, opting to bench several top talents in favor of a Cup match against Igalo—a puzzling decision.

This account of his numerous missteps is extensive, with the latest being a sudden notification to captain and key player Petar Grbić that he would no longer be counted on, abruptly ending his career. He has also refused to cooperate with the newly appointed sports director Dejan Damjanović due to personal preferences.

The club’s leadership, local government, and supervisory board—who were placed in their positions by political entities—show a troubling lack of action in addressing these issues, instead endorsing every decision made by the club. On a centenary meant to be a celebration, they have only succeeded in creating chaos and tarnishing the legacy of this esteemed institution. It is vital to mention that these boards comprise individuals with no prior association or interest in Budućnost, who have failed to bring any value to the club. Consequently, Budućnost is currently without a primary sponsor, lacking financial stability despite player sales, and devoid of a future vision, which includes plans for the anniversary festivities. The fans and the Podgorica community are left waiting for the grand exhibition matches promised to mark this milestone, but instead, they face disappointment. What more can we say but—shame.

“We want results, sponsors, a full stadium, and European competition under Gorica,” Varvari expressed in their statement.

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