Student meets master as Micho faces Veselin
Bucs coach happy he recommended Jelusic to Celtic
Professor Veselin Jelusic had his first encounter with Milutin Sredojevic in class at Belgrade University in 1986 when teenager Micho was studying football tactics and methodology as a subject.
Now more than 20 years later, master and student will have another encounter, this time when Bloemfontein Celtic face Orlando Pirates on Sunday (3.30pm).
Jelusic, 60, was appointed Celtic mentor at the start of the season – at the same time Micho took over as Pirates coach – for the second time.
The two Serbian football technicians will square-off for the first time in their careers at the Dr Molemela Stadium.
“Micho and I are friends off the field but during games then we must be professional. There are no friends on the job,” Jelusic told Sowetan.
“For the first time we will be on opposite sides because all these years we have been rooting for the same team.”
Jelusic is pleased that his understudy has gone on to become a renowned coach across the African continent.
“He was a student at Belgrade University in the faculty of sports and I was working there as a professor.
“I know him from that time and since then we have been friends,” the former Botswana national team coach added.
“I was teaching him. Now we are colleagues and I am very proud about his achievements in Africa.”
Jelusic said it did not matter that he was an academic, what is important is that he delivers at Phunya Sele Sele.
“Yes I am an academic. I have a master’s degree and PHD in football. My work is between theoretical and practical work. From time to time I work with schools and universities football coaches.
“However, what is important as a coach are the results.”
Sredojevic, 48, hopes he will be the one dishing out the lessons in their clash.
“I need to officially announce that it’s a clash between the student and professor. As a student I want to do everything possible to beat my professor,” Micho said.
The former Uganda coach played a hand in the appointment of Jelusic at Celtic.
“When I was still in Uganda I asked about his going to Bloemfontein.
“My former captain at Pirates [Lehlohonolo Seema] and people in Bloemfontein had asked me about him. I’m proud to say I didn’t recommend the wrong person.”