Slovenian football figures Čeh and Mlakar reflect on coaching careers and club rivalries

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have reflected on their football careers and domestic club dynamics in separate interviews.

Čeh, who served as captain during Slovenia's golden generation under Srečko Katanec, detailed his post-playing transition into coaching. Following his retirement, he spent over a decade assisting Katanec, including seven years coaching in Asia. Čeh highlighted his enduring ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian side Grazer AK, while reiterating his respect for Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana native Mlakar addressed his third spell with Maribor. Mlakar expressed full trust in club management under Zlatko Zahovič and Darko Milanič. He noted that despite ongoing internal turmoil at Olimpija, derby matches remain unpredictable and offer struggling teams a clean slate to rebuild momentum.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net