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

Former Slovenian national football team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their career trajectories and internal domestic football dynamics in recent interviews. Čeh discussed his transition into coaching after retiring as a player, highlighting a decade of collaboration alongside manager Srečko Katanec, which included seven years working in Asia. Despite his close ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK, Čeh expressed continued professional respect for rival club NK Maribor.

Concurrently, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has returned to NK Maribor for a third spell, aiming to secure his first league title with the team. Expressing trust in club management figures Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič, Mlakar noted that despite ongoing administrative and performance struggles at Olimpija Ljubljana, the capital club remains a dangerous opponent in upcoming rivalry matches.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net