Kojić rule breach reportedly saves Olimpija coach's job ahead of title deciders

Olimpija Ljubljana faces a critical period in their domestic campaign, trailing league leaders Maribor by six points. The team is scheduled to play consecutive derbies against Celje and Maribor, matches that head coach Jugoslav Trenčovski acknowledged could define their season. He stated that two victories would return the squad to the title race, while poor results could jeopardize his employment.

Speculation regarding Trenčovski’s future intensified after the departure of former sporting director Necat Aygün. However, newly appointed sporting director Branko Milovanović publicly expressed confidence in the Macedonian coach during his presentation. Milovanović noted that while he supports Trenčovski, future decisions would depend on match outcomes, a reality the coach accepted.

Amidst the pressure, Trenčovski addressed a recent internal incident involving forward Dino Kojić. During a previous match against Aluminij, Kojić took a penalty kick out of turn, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Although this action breached club protocols regarding set-piece responsibilities, the result had significant positive implications for the coaching staff.

Trenčovski explained the resolution to the infraction with a mix of discipline and gratitude. He stated that Kojić paid for lunch as a penalty for violating team rules. Conversely, the coach paid for the meal himself because the unauthorized goal effectively saved his job, highlighting the high stakes surrounding recent performances.

Looking at broader squad issues, Trenčovski accepted personal responsibility for two dropped points in a draw against Mura. He identified a lack of speed within the current selection as a tactical weakness. To address these gaps, the club intends to sign two or three new players during the winter transfer window and release some existing members.