Nebojsa Covic talks relationship with Ivanovic, Petrusev to Olympiacos, Bjelica's contract / News - Basketnews.com

Crvena Zvezda president Nebojsa Covic addressed the reasons the club parted ways with Dusko Ivanovic, cleared up the air on Nemanja Bjelica and Fenerbahce, and commented on Olympiacos' offer to Filip Petrusev.

Credit: Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade Credit Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

The turbulent start of the season led the management of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to thank coach Dusko Ivanovic for his services after three weeks and turn to Giannis Sfairopoulos.

Free throws this season

78%12,6Points made:12,6Accuracy:78,3%Place in standings:12Record max:16Record min:8Most made FTs:Luka MitrovicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Apart from parting ways with the Montenegrin expert, there was much speculation about the status of Nemanja Bjelica, who hasn't played a single game since he returned to Zvezda.

Until today, the sports public in Serbia has not received a concrete explanation of what happened in the case of the Serbian big man. However, the club's president, Nebojsa Covic, cleared up the air in a podcast with journalist Miljan Milicevic.

"He is officially under contract with Fenerbahce, the club has certain obligations to him. He came and signed a contract with us. That contract was terminated by mutual agreement. Zvezda didn't pay for anything, nor did he ask us for anything.

He can return to us whenever he wants to play again. Anything else I could say would be to his detriment. Not in relation to Zvezda, but you should understand that Fenerbahce has certain obligations towards him and should fulfill them," Covic revealed.

A special segment of Covic's guest appearance in the podcast was dedicated to Dusko Ivanovic.

"Dusko is one of the best coaches Crvena Zvezda have ever had. Not just as a coach, but as a person. I wish him success in Baskonia. The man has a wide basketball knowledge, but as the president of the club I am not only here to make nice and sweet decisions," Covic pointed out.

"There was a lot of speculation about his departure. It has absolutely nothing to do with Bjelica, [Milos] Teodosic, or any other player, nor has any player been imposed on him. The only player I have ever imposed [on a coach] is Sofoklis Schortsanitis. We paid for that mistake. Remember how he was welcomed," the Serbian executive said.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade / Schedule

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Covic stressed that in Ivanovic's case, things just didn't work out for him, the team and the players.

"If we had taken the extra risk, I don't know what it would have been like. It was a move that was made, which was more the outcome of bad results. We took that measure and now I believe the team has changed for the better."

Covic believes that Zvezda have a better team compared to the previous seasons, which he attributes to Dusko Ivanovic. "Hescouted and selected players. He left the club as a gentleman, we will always have such a relationship. He left a big mark on the club," Covic said before touching onShabazz Napier lack of form and the fact that the American guard is yet to live up to the high expectations.

"Some thought that he would come here and score 30 points immediately. This is not an individual sport, but a collective sport. We hope that Napier will return to his form. Remember what he did in Armani with Messina."

In early November, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan president, Pantaleo Dell’Orco, spoke to La Gazzetta Dello Sport about the situation with Shabazz Napier.

“We wanted to extend Napier’s contract this summer, but he asked for three times more money than what he originally earned, and we didn’t want to spend that much," he said.

Covic admitted that those statements came as a surprise to him.

"We offered what we offered, we did not get into a race with anyone. When they tell us that we need to pay to terminate his contract, we need to think about how to minimize damage. I think it would be a shame since Ivanovic and Sfairopoulos have the utmost confidence in him. He didn't forget to play basketball. There are many factors, from family to everything else," Covic underlined.

The former Belgrade mayor was also asked whether Filip Petrusev is on the verge of joining Olympiacos Piraeus.

"I heard about it, and Olympiacos made a very decent offer. Petrusev's door is open now, but it's his and his agent's decision. Don't get me wrong. Well, let them decide."

Covic assured that no more signings will be made and explained the reasons behind the decision.

"We've got Simonovic, and he needs to get a chance. He was injured, but he had a lot of injuries. I have 53 years of experience in basketball and when I say my suggestion, usually some people don't believe me, but the player's agent. No player has ever had a bad contract. Take it easy, you have time for the NBA."

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