Zeljko Kopic (48 years old) returned to Romania a few days later breaking up with Dinamo. The Croatian technician agreed to talk about the end of the mandate.
The former coach of the “Dogs” gave statements at the airport about the reasons that led to his departure and about the problems he has faced in recent times at the club.
PHOTO. Zeljko Kopic broke his silence after leaving Dinamo: “I didn't make the decision overnight”
The Croatian wanted to emphasize that the separation from Dinamo was not a decision made in haste. According to him, several factors contributed to the conclusion that it was time for a change.
When asked what didn't work in the recently concluded season, Kopic he indicated the existence of internal problems and hinted that the area of sports management and transfer policy were sensitive points during his tenure.
“Two and a half years ago there was no one here, only Gabi Glăvan was waiting for me, and now there is a lot of press. It is not important how you come, it is important how you leave, so…
This is football, people come and go. It is important to give everything from the heart, emotions, and at the end to be proud of what you have achieved, that's it. My story ended here.
I want to wish them the best, keep growing, reach the next level, make history and I would like to thank everyone, it was very nice for me.
When I came here, everyone asked me what I was doing here, where I was going. Few people believed in success, in me as a coach, that we can do something at Dinamo. It was my decision, now it's my decision again.
Sometimes you need to make hard decisions and this was one of them, it wasn't easy. I felt very connected with the spirit of Dinamo, the Dinamo family, but professionally I am sure I made a good choice.
I didn't make the decision overnight, it wasn't possible. I am a person who analyzes things, I put the arguments for and against and chose what is best for Dinamo.
For the club and for me it was better that way. Dinamo is a big club, we built something here together, it was a process together with the shareholders, the president.
In these two and a half years there were many good moments with the players. Some of them grew a lot, like Cîrjan. It's part of football, part of my job. Sometimes it's hard to make decisions,” said Zeljko Kopic, visibly moved.
What's next for the former coach of Dinamo
Despite the many speculations that have emerged in recent days, Kopic has denied that he is close to a new adventure on the bench of a team.
However, the Croatian technician revealed that he has a proposal from a television station in Croatia, where he could analyze the matches of the 2026 World Cup.
It remains to be seen if the former coach of Dinamo will choose a break from coaching or if he will return to the circuit sooner.
“I don't have any offers at the moment, just a few talks with television stations in Croatia for the World Cup. It's a stereotype in football, people leave and immediately have a million offers on the table. No. Lately I've had some contacts, but I've been thinking about Dinamo.
We had a very good relationship with the shareholders, with Renovatio. I told them before the game that this is my decision. We sat down at the table, I told President Nicolescu how I see the situation, how I feel about it. Life must go on, it is important how Dinamo will be in the future.
I spoke with Florentin Petre. It's been a short time since I left, I have to see what the future holds and make decisions together. I'm not here to give advice (no – asked about Nuno Campos). I wish him all the best and make the club proud, what I worked for. It's a huge club!
Together we chose the players to come. Ok, Rifleman, I wanted him, I liked him. Pușcaș is a top player for Romania, for me he is a national team player for sure, he was there.
It was impossible to bring him in the past, he had a huge salary in Turkey. Now he has the problem with the injury, I took advantage of the moment and took him. We took that risk, that he can't help us this season, but let him be as good as possible for next season,” added Kopic.
2 1/2 years later: “Did you find him on Google?”
The Croat also recalled the episode from his first press conference at Dinamo, when a journalist asked Andrei Nicolescu if he looked him up on Google before appointing him coach.
“We built something together. We built relationships, situations, the club grew with us, it's like that in every family. I felt this was the best solution for everyone.
Now it's important that you no longer have to go to Google to look for me. When I analyzed the players, I saw things a little differently, because in some moments it's not just about quality, it's about Dinamo. It is difficult at Dinamo.
For me, the target must be high. We can talk about the young players, Cîrjan, Stoinov, who is a national player, Musi, not to forget someone. It's not just about the tactical side,” concluded Zeljko Kopic.
For me, the target must be high. We can talk about the young players, Cîrjan, Stoinov, who is a national player, Musi, not to forget someone.
It's not just about the tactical side. For me, the players who play for Dinamo must be more than that, for a great Dinamo. I will forever be a red dog.
I'm not the best person to express my emotions, but I'm sure that the Dinamo family and supporters have my respect until the end of my life.– Zeljko Kopicthe former coach of Dinamo
