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

Former Slovenian national football team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their footballing careers and current domestic developments.

Čeh, a prominent figure in Slovenia's national team history, discussed his shift into coaching after completing a decade-long tenure as assistant to Srečko Katanec, which included seven years working in Asia. Čeh maintains ties to former clubs including Olimpija, Maribor, and Austria's Grazer AK.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana-born forward Jan Mlakar addressed his third playing spell with Maribor. Speaking ahead of the upcoming eternal derby against Olimpija, Mlakar acknowledged his hometown club's recent operational struggles but emphasized that derby fixtures remain inherently unpredictable, stating that struggling opponents "can only gain" from such high-profile matches. Mlakar also expressed confidence in Maribor's sporting leadership as the team aims for domestic success.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net