According to the Team's report, Zlatko Zahović could return to the offices of the People's Garden in the near future.
Zlatko Zahović brought NK Maribor to many laurels, he put it on the elite European map, when he left the position of sports director in Ljudska Garden six years ago, a much more modest period began for the purple.
This period reached a new low in this season, when Maribor's team finished fifth in the national championship, the lowest ranking of the 16-time national champions after the 2004/05 season.
Zahović has recently returned to the world of football, but not in the role that the fans of the Violets would like.In the Sportklubovi Pod prečko show, he confirmed that he will act as an observer of matches under the auspices of UEFA.
Maribor finished the 2025/26 season in the state championship in a modest fifth place.
Ilicali is ready to talk.
According to the team's report, Maribor's first man Acun Ilicali decided to invite Zahović to participate.
"There is no more tangible information at the moment, and there have been no contacts, at least direct, yet, but in the background the ground was supposed to be being prepared for this to happen soon. The owner of the 16-time Slovenian champions and their former sports director should then sit at the same table and try to find a model of cooperation", they wrote in the sports newspaper.
The news will certainly delight the supporters of the most successful Slovenian club, but a few more steps will be needed to actually participate.
Read the full article at Siol.net →📄Source document: Sportklub→12 reports
24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenter2 days agoThe article announces that Zlatko Zahović, after six years away, is returning to his former role at NK Maribor. It highlights Zahović's status as one of Slovenia's greatest footballers and notes that he confirmed rumors of his return during a press conference. The piece emphasizes his past success as a club functionary and expresses optimism among Maribor fans regarding his return.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports news with no explicit political commentary, framing, or bias. It objectively reports on Zahović's return to Maribor without taking a stance or using loaded language.
RTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicCenter2 days agoThe article reports that Zlatko Zahović, a legendary Slovenian football player, has reportedly signed with NK Maribor as their sports director after more than six years away. The club announced that Zahović will serve in this role until the end of May 2028. He previously held this position for nearly 13 years, during which he helped lead the team to domestic and European successes. The article mentions that Maribor finished fifth in the league last season and did not qualify for European competitions. A press conference regarding his new role will take place today at 4 PM.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about a sports-related appointment without any overtly biased language, framing, or emphasis on political issues. It focuses on the career of a well-known athlete and his return to a sports club, with no indication of ideological slant.
Siol.netIndependentCenter3 days agoThe article reports that Zlatko Zahović is returning to NK Maribor after six years. According to the report by Ekipe, Zahović is set to meet with Cem Basgul, the head of football operations at Maribor, to finalize details of his collaboration. The club has not officially confirmed the return yet. It also mentions that Acun Ilicali, the majority owner of NK Maribor, plans to introduce coach Darko Milanič alongside Zahović. The article notes that Zahović previously led Maribor to numerous successes and elevated the club on the European stage.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports-related developments involving a football club and does not present any political content or ideological framing. The information is reported neutrally without apparent bias toward any political stance.
Maribor24IndependentCenter3 days agoThe article reports that Zlatko Zahović is expected to return to NK Maribor after six years, having reached an agreement with the Turkish owner. It also mentions that Darko Milanič, another former successful coach of Maribor, may return as part of the same project.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports personnel changes and does not present any political content or biased framing. The information is reported neutrally without evident slant.
Maribor24IndependentCenter3 days ago Zahović confirmed the talks, returning to Maribor all closerThe article reports that Zlatko Zahović has confirmed discussions with Turkish owner Acun Ilicali regarding a potential return to NK Maribor as sports director. Zahović stated that talks have been moving in the right direction, with both parties aiming to rebuild a strong Maribor team. He emphasized that no final agreement has been reached yet but expressed hope for positive developments in the coming days.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It quotes Zahović directly and does not take a stance on his potential return or the implications of such a move. The content remains neutral and focused on reporting the confirmed discussions.
LokalecIndependentCenter4 days agoZlatko Zahović is set to return to NK Maribor as a sports director after reaching an agreement with the club's Turkish owners. The deal has not yet been officially signed but is expected to be finalized soon. His main tasks would include stabilizing the club and addressing personnel issues in the first team. However, his role will differ from previous positions, as financial decisions will remain under the control of owner Acun Ilicali.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about a sports-related appointment without any overtly biased language, framing, or emphasis on political aspects. It focuses on the professional background and responsibilities of Zlatko Zahović without taking a stance or showing favoritism toward any side.
DeloIndependent🔒Center4 days agoThe article reports that Zlatko Zahović is set to return to NK Maribor as the sports director after negotiations with the Turkish club management were nearly finalized. Zahović is closely associated with the club's most successful periods, and his return comes at a time when Maribor had one of their worst seasons in history, finishing fifth in the league without qualifying for European competitions. The club's owner, Adžun Ilidžali, was reportedly close to leaving, but Zahović's return aims to address the current challenges facing the team.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about a sports-related development involving a well-known figure returning to a football club. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or selective sourcing. It remains neutral in tone and focuses solely on the reported events.
24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenter4 days ago Big step for Slovenian football: Zahović returns to MariborThe article discusses Zlatko Zahović's return to Maribor as sports director after previously working with the club and later serving as a UEFA match observer. It highlights his past success with Maribor and suggests his return could bring stability and normalization to the club, which has struggled in recent seasons. The article also notes the financial investment by the Turkish ownership and mentions the team's current performance.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports and does not take a political stance. It reports on a football-related event without any ideological framing or biased language.
Maribor24IndependentCenter4 days ago The great return to the People's Garden: Zlatko Zahović just before signing the contract with MariborZlatko Zahović is reportedly close to signing with NK Maribor after lengthy negotiations with the club's Turkish owners. The agreement would see Zahović take on a role focused on stabilizing the club and addressing staffing challenges in the first team. Financial control remains with owner Acun Ilicali. The article raises questions about potential coaching appointments, including Darko Milanič, though he has denied any knowledge of returning to Maribor.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports-related development without overt political commentary, framing, or bias. It presents information neutrally, citing Sportklub as the source and noting the involvement of various stakeholders without taking a stance.
LokalecIndependentCenter5 days ago Zahovic and the Turkish owners of NK Maribor in serious talks about returning to the People's Garden?The article reports that Turkish owners of NK Maribor have begun serious discussions with Zlatko Zahović regarding his potential return to the club as a sports director. While no agreement has been finalized, initial talks have been positive, and further negotiations are expected. The article notes that NK Maribor is entering a new season in a challenging position due to unresolved coaching staff and management issues. The Turkish owners see Zahović as a key solution for stabilizing and turning around the club's sporting narrative. However, it is emphasized that Zahović would not hold the same
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about ongoing discussions between NK Maribor's owners and Zlatko Zahović without showing any clear ideological or political bias. It presents both sides' interests neutrally and does not favor one over the other.
Maribor24IndependentCenter5 days ago Fans on the move: Is Zlatko Zahović back in Maribor?The article discusses potential negotiations between former NK Maribor president Zlatko Zahović and current owner Igor Ilicali regarding Zahović's return to the club. It notes that Zahović previously led the club to success and that fans see him as a solution to the club's current struggles. The article also mentions that discussions have already begun and explores what role Zahović might take if he returns, possibly seeking more autonomy in decision-making than his previous limited role. It briefly touches on the possibility of Darko Milanič returning as well.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on sports-related developments without taking a clear stance or using biased language. It presents information neutrally, focusing on potential negotiations and roles within a football club, which is inherently non-political in nature.
Siol.netIndependentCenter6 days ago Is Zlatko Zahović going back to Maribor?The article discusses the possibility of Zlatko Zahović returning to NK Maribor, citing reports from Ekipe. It notes that Zahović previously led Maribor to success but the club has struggled since his departure. Zahović recently returned to football as an UEFA match observer, following former teammates. The article mentions that Acun Ilicali, president of Maribor, might invite Zahović to join the club.
Bias read (Center): The article is purely informational, discussing potential personnel changes in a sports club without taking a stance or using biased language. It presents facts and quotes without evident slant.
Slovenia