Slovenian football figures Čeh and Mlakar reflect on careers and domestic derby

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have reflected on their career trajectories and the dynamics of domestic football. Čeh, who captained Slovenia's golden generation under manager Srečko Katanec, transitioned into coaching following his playing career. He spent over a decade as Katanec's assistant, including seven years working in Asia, while maintaining strong ties to former clubs Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK alongside respect for rival NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana native Jan Mlakar has returned to NK Maribor for a third spell, expressing confidence in the club's leadership as he pursues his first league title with the team. Mlakar addressed the upcoming derby against Olimpija Ljubljana, noting that despite Olimpija's recent struggles, form matters little in derby matches where underdogs "can only gain."

Sources: Delo, Siol.net