Hapoel Jerusalem announced the appointment of Saša Obradović as the team’s head coach on a three-year deal through the end of the 2028/29 season. The Serbian tactician is considered one of the most senior and respected coaches in European basketball who also has had an impressive career both as a player and as a coach.

As a head coach for more than two decades, he has led several EuroLeague clubs, including AS Monaco Basket, Crvena Zvezdat and Alba Berlin, achieving notable success in both domestic and international competitions.

Among his most significant accomplishments is transforming Monaco into one of the elite teams in European basketball and leading the club to the 2023 EuroLeague Final Four, a historic and unprecedented achievement for the organization. Throughout his career, Obradović has won numerous titles, including two French championships, a French Cup, a German championship, four German Cups and a Russian Cup.

Saša Obradović said upon the appointment, “I am very happy to join Hapoel Jerusalem. I have been a EuroLeague coach for many years and I chose Hapoel because I was deeply impressed by the club’s vision, standards and high ambitions. I wholeheartedly believe in the great future that awaits us together in the coming years. Our goal is clear, to build a strong, high-quality, talented and fighting team, guided by my philosophy, that will compete for every title and strive to achieve all the ambitious objectives we have set for ourselves.

“I am already looking forward to coming to Israel and meeting Hapoel Jerusalem’s incredible fans. I have heard a great deal about the passion, energy, and unique atmosphere the supporters create, and I know how integral their backing is to the club’s identity. I will do everything I can to make them proud of our team and to represent them with honor in every game. I can’t wait to begin our shared journey together. Yalla Hapoel!”

Matan Adelson, the club’s owner added, “I am very happy and proud to welcome Saša Obradović to the Hapoel Jerusalem family. The appointment of a highly regarded and experienced EuroLeague coach like Saša reflects our determination to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves and our commitment to doing whatever is necessary to turn those ambitions into reality.

“We have decided to lead the club in a new direction under Saša’s leadership. The time has come to write a new chapter in the club’s history, and we believe that under his guidance it will be a particularly exciting one. I have said it before and will continue to emphasize it: I will do everything in my power to ensure that this club succeeds, grows, and competes at the highest levels of European basketball as soon as possible.

“I am convinced that Saša is the right person to lead us on this journey and I believe that together we can take Hapoel Jerusalem to new heights and achievements that the club has never reached before.”