Savo Milosevic has decided to run for the post of president of Partizan football club at the clubs forthcoming electoral assembly. The national team record holder with 102 caps played in Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro/Serbia shirts has been observing the football affairs from the sidelines since retirement last season, until he has recently come to a decision to stand as candidate to be in charge of the club he once so successfully scored goals for.- Yes, I have decided to run for the presidential post in Partizan. However, the election date has not yet been set, and there have been some rumours it should happen in mid-December. At this time, I am in the process of holding talks and consultations and once Im done, I will notify the public, Milosevic says at the beginning of an interview for "
Blic".
Have you recently spoken with current Partizan president Djuric on the current state of affairs at the club? - We last talked seven or eight months ago. Since then weve seen each other a few times, but there have been no serious conversations.
You have been linked with the Partizan presidential job once before. - Two years ago there were a number of factors that pushed me towards a decision to wait for another time. Firstly, at that time I had not definitely decided to end my playing career, and more importantly, there wasnt enough time to develop a serious plan. You cant possibly assemble a team of associates in three days.
Has the situation changed? - I have ended my career, and now I have more time at my disposal for the whole matter. A club like Partizan demands a number of serious people on the team and there is a lot of work to do.
Are you now ready to take on the responsibility? - I am ready. I am familiar with the clubs current moment; Ive held many talks with Mirkovic, Petric, Ivan Tomic and Djordje Tomic, but Ive so far avoided going public with any of it, because its far more difficult to act when youre on the inside than as an outside pundit. I respect that.
How do Partizan stand as a club? - To my knowledge, the 2009 budget is around 13m. If that is true, the sum is not realistic, because in this situation Partizan should have at disposal a budget of seven or eight million Euros.
How much money does Partizan need in order to be able to qualify for the Champions League? - If people at the club work hard, then six million is enough, but if things are not done the right way, then 25m is not enough. Primarily, quality conditions need to be created out there on the pitch. We failed to qualify for the Champions League this season because Partizans game was below standard. Far from it that I think the squad dont possess the necessary quality, but they are surely not showing it on the pitch. A place in the Champions League should come as a result, and not as a coincidence.
Are you aware of conflicts of opinions within the club? - Of course. Its hard to work in Partizan, as its a big club ever seeking positive results. Partizan should be above all of us individuals. We should forget about vanity and petty disagreements and all work in the interest of the club we all love.
Judging by recent events at the club, the relations are far from harmonious. - Everyone is equally to blame the club has scored an own goal. After two or three months the clubs operations came into question, which should never happen, whoever is in charge, Milosevic concluded.
