Zekić Went through Much as NK Osijek’s Coach and Many a Feat He’s Achieved is to be Lauded.
Everything went as planned in the match vs. Cibalija. Considering the score and the impressions, Zoran Zekic made it through unscathed as he holds the record for the matches in which he was the active coach for NK Osijek. The players gave it their all on the pitch, the fans were in a great mood and Zoran Zekic didn’t have a reason to be sad or grumpy.
To the contrary, the feeling of contentment was visible in everyone’s face among NK Osijek’s ranks so that the coach earned commendations for his team’s performance, the earned points and the fact that he made it to the top of Osijek’s helmsmen since the earliest moments of the National League.
Started from the Bottom
Zekic had played at Gradski Vrt but was rarely bestowed with an opportunity, so that he had to prove himself outside of his city and he was successful at it. He was an ace striker of many teams he played on and made it to the A class of the national rank. No one ever held his hand so that he made something out of nothing on the pitch and is deservingly proud of what he’s achieved. He confidently and boldly embraced the coaching profession, getting all the necessary credentials at the Academy for the highest level of competition.
However, his beginning was at Maksimir, playing in the lower ranks, but he wasn’t afraid to accept a call from far away Moldova where he took care of the younger categories of the Sheriffs, only to quickly become chief-of-staff of the first team from Tiraspol.
In September of 2015, Osijek called him, with the team in dire straits for the past few seasons, barely keeping their heads above water. Zekic’s first game on NK Osijek was played against Inter where Osijek won 3-1 in front of 672 spectators. Zekic got the news that money was scarce both for players and for the coach.
ZZ asked no questions, got to work and started fighting for Osijek’s first league position. We remember the dire time Osijek had back then, as if Damocles’ sword was suspended above our heads in form of imminent bankruptcy, where Osijek wasn’t the prettiest maid to be wed to those who take care of the coach rating.
European League Out of Reach by One Score
A big question remains: how would’ve things turned out if new owners of Osijek hadn’t showed up who triggered a renaissance? Zekic was given the perfect environment to work without having to think if he and his players will get their salaries on time. In the first year post-stabilization, the team had to climb a steep mountain, going from a fight for survival to the European scene.
And Osijek returned to Europe’s gates last summer. With their coach, they were at the threshold of the European League that eluded them by one single goal. Let’s not forget that our players had 6 victories in 8 qualifier matches with only 2 defeats and by defeating PSV 2 times without suffering a single goal, thereby making history.
Hasn’t Left due to Belief in a Better Osijek
Zekic brought new things to Osijek’s players, setting records, winning in places where victory was scarce, especially against rivals who were always above us. Wherever we went, we witnessed commendations to Osijek’s coach for his diligence and patience as he works for his team.
Others noticed Zoran’s “coach gene” expressed and his unquestionable qualities, so that he was given many opportunities to leave for better prospects, prospects which are hardly ever rejected. He hasn’t left yet as he believes that his work has only just begun. We wish him at least 117 more matches as Osijek’s helmsman, vying for the trophy which would be Zekic’s prize for all the energy he invested into our club.
