Fourteen years after his emotional departure, Zeljko Obradovic has emerged as the primary head coaching target for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens following the end of Ergin Ataman’s tenure.
Fourteen years after one of the most emotional farewells in European basketball, Zeljko Obradovic is now the primary head coaching target for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, according to Sport24.gr.
This comes after Panathinaikos confirmed the end of Ergin Ataman’s era, closing out a turbulent season that ended with a defeat to rival Olympiacos in Game 5 of the Greek League Finals.
Obradovic is more than a former Panathinaikos coach. He is the architect of the club’s golden era, the man who turned OAKA into one of Europe’s most feared arenas and Panathinaikos into a continental superpower.
Between 1999 and 2012, he led the Greens to five EuroLeague titles, 11 Greek League titles, seven Greek Cups, and a status that still shapes the club’s expectations today.
His teams were built on discipline, intelligence, defensive toughness, and a deep connection with the crowd.
Credit Reuters-Scanpix
Panathinaikos has spent recent years trying to restore the aura of its greatest period. The club returned to the European elite under Ataman, but the latest EuroLeague and domestic losses have underscored the need for a new direction.
At 66, Obradovic remains the most decorated coach in European basketball history. His résumé includes nine EuroLeague titles with five different clubs, an achievement unmatched in the sport.
He last coached Partizan Belgrade from 2021 to 2025, winning two ABA League titles and coming close to reaching the 2023 EuroLeague Final Four.
Obradovic stepped down in November 2025, despite strong backing from the club’s supporters.
Why Zeljko Obradovic Is The Best European Coach Ever
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