Slovenian football figures Čeh and Mlakar reflect on careers and domestic rivalries
Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar discuss their coaching paths, club loyalties, and the Slovenian football rivalry between Maribor and Olimpija.
Prominent Slovenian football figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have reflected on their respective careers and personal perspectives regarding the domestic rivalry between NK Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.
Former national team captain Čeh discussed his transition into coaching after retiring as a player. He spent more than a decade as an assistant to head coach Srečko Katanec, including seven years working in Asia. While expressing strong affection for Olimpija and Austria's Grazer AK, Čeh emphasized his deep respect for Maribor.
Separately, 27-year-old forward Mlakar discussed his decision to return to Maribor for a third stint, reiterating that he was "never close to Olimpija." Mlakar expressed full confidence in club leadership under Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič, noting that derby matches offer struggling teams an opportunity to regain momentum.
Sources: Delo, Siol.net
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Earlier coverage
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