Alexander Dzikic, the new coach of Hapoel Jerusalem, arrived in Israel this week for a series of meetings with the club's heads about building the professional team and the staff for the upcoming season.
In between, he turned up for his first and exclusive interview with "Israel Today."
"This is an opportunity for me to get to Hapoel," said the Serbian coach.
"I was looking for a team with ambitions and goals similar to mine and I found it here. They think I am the right person for them and I really hope we succeed."
You had other suggestions, so why did you choose to come here?
"Honestly, it's funny. Bodchenost had an option for another season and they decided we would not continue. The first second I was free I got a call from Guy (Harel, the club's general manager; YM). "We already talked a few years ago, so this was not our first time. Both sides were interested in this relationship and we acted quickly."
Hapoel Jerusalem has not succeeded in the last two years, what are the main things you want to do differently?
"Honestly, like I said, everything happens very fast so we do not analyze the past but only look to the future. I do not have enough information and if you say the last two seasons were not satisfactory, then fine. We want to bring players who want to be at Hapoel Jerusalem. "There are players who think of a team as a springboard to another place, we want players who will be happy here, who want to be here and succeed here."
In your conversations with the management of Hapoel Jerusalem, what are the goals set for you?
"We did not talk about specific goals. We want to play every game at 100%. It probably will not happen, but we want as many games as possible with a good feeling after the game. Both after winning and after losing, we want to get off the field and feel we did our best. "We can not guarantee victories or titles when we do not know what the staff is, and when there are other teams that are building and getting stronger. I need more time."
And on the other hand, what are your requirements from the club?
"What the owners have been talking about is that they will support me and I have them. We have a common goal. We need to be together and I like the fact that the management is not great. I feel like I have someone to work with and someone to share. I repeat it all the time - teamwork. Both in the management and in the players. "
Dzikic with Chomsky.
In favor of cooperation, Photo: Udi Citiat
"Right now everything is in the right direction"
Dzikic (51) has worked most of his career in the Balkans, Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia.
Except for two years as an assistant coach in the NBA, he had two experiences outside the Balkans as head coach - Britas Vilna he succeeded and reached the EuroCup semi-finals, and in the Spanish Estudiantes he failed and was fired in the middle of the season.
What will it look like in Israel, as in Spain or as in Lithuania?
"I do not know what will happen here, I do not tell fortunes. What happened in Spain is a long story. We started well and then went down. It was also Corona season. For almost every coach, part of a coaching career is that part of parting with a team in the middle of work. "Coaches who do a good job and leave. Look, for example, at Alexander Gorevich, who won the championship with Fenerbahce and left. Such things happen in professional sports."
There are a lot of foreign coaches who have not succeeded here, do you think your style will suit Israeli basketball?
"I think it's not a matter of style but the people in the club, and honestly I'm not surprised because I heard stories, but I'm glad what I heard is right. The way they try to accept me and help me, and the ways I help them. Right now everything's in the right direction. "I understand the group's situation and we know we need to rebuild and think about who we want to stay and who doesn't, and build a team that represents the ideas we're talking about."
Jerusalem fans.
Will you connect to the new coach?
Tell us a little about your method, philosophy, what basketball do you want to see from Hapoel Jerusalem in the coming season?
"It's not a matter of style or philosophy, we currently do not have a team. When there is a team we can talk about the style of basketball we want. We want players with ambition who want to work hard, and want to play for each other. We want to build a team that plays responsibly. ".
I read you once said you're the king of small budgets. How do you see the situation for you at Hapoel Jerusalem?
"There are similarities with certain groups I worked for. This experience was successful with limited budgets and I hope I will share my experience with management to build a good team. There are things I really like here. When we talked about budget, management gave me a number and told me it's, it's the budget. "Sometimes as a coach you realize that it's better for your workplace not to get involved and not let people argue. I understand that this is the money I have and that I have to get by with what they give me. I'm fine with that."
Do you let management interfere with you in building the team?
"Of course, we talk. The green light to bring a certain player is mine, but of course I will hear what everyone has to say. The responsibility is on me so I have the power to determine, but I will use the knowledge and experience of the people here. I am here a few days and see it is not right Set aside the people and knowledge that is here in the club. "
Djikic, Photo: Udi Citiat
"Maybe I'll become smarter"
The Serbian coach is considered a colorful and colorful figure who is not afraid to say everything that comes to his mind and causes a lot of interest and passion around his team.
Jerusalem hopes that after two less good years, Dzikic will return the positive energies and interest around the club.
"It's me and my character is like that, whether people around like it or not," he explains and smiles.
"We'll see how I behave here. Maybe that will change, maybe I will become smarter."
In most of the teams you coached you had a good relationship with the fans. What do you expect from your relationship with Hapoel Jerusalem fans?
"It's two-sided. So far there is a warm welcome on their part and that's great for me. I will try my best to keep them happy and proud. As far as I know, they are very supportive and full of passion. I love that fans behave the way Hapoel Jerusalem fans behave. "We will see who comes and what our team will be. I hope we can build something that they will be proud of and that they will be with us for better or worse."
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