Slovenian football figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar reflect on careers and derby rivalries

Former Slovenian national team players Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have offered perspectives on their football journeys and the competitive climate within Slovenian football.

Čeh, the former national team captain under Srečko Katanec, reflected on his transition to coaching, which included a decade-long role as Katanec's assistant across several international tenures, notably seven years in Asia. Čeh maintained his fondness for both domestic and foreign clubs from his playing days, including Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK, while expressing respect for Maribor.

Meanwhile, forward Jan Mlakar discussed returning to Maribor for a third tenure. Addressing the ongoing rivalry between Maribor and Olimpija, Mlakar noted that form offers little guarantee in derby fixtures, emphasizing that struggling clubs can often reverse their fortunes during high-stakes rivalries.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net