Zeljko Obradovic has once again emerged as a leading candidate for the Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens coaching job, with multiple Greek media outlets reporting that the Serbian coach is currently in Athens and could hold talks with the club during his visit.
Panathinaikos are searching for a new head coach after officially parting ways with Ergin Ataman following a disappointing end to the season, which concluded with a Game 5 loss to Olympiacos in the Greek League Finals.
According to reports, Obradovic is the club’s preferred choice. A return would reunite Panathinaikos with the coach who led the most successful period in the organization’s history.
Between 1999 and 2012, he guided the Greens to five EuroLeague titles, 11 Greek League championships, and seven Greek Cups, establishing the club as one of Europe’s dominant forces.
The Greek side returned to the European elite under Ataman, but recent domestic and EuroLeague disappointments have increased the desire for a new direction.
At 66, Obradovic remains the most decorated coach in European basketball history, with nine EuroLeague titles won across five different clubs.
Most recently, he coached Partizan Belgrade from 2021 to 2025, winning two ABA League titles before stepping down in November 2025.
With Panathinaikos still evaluating its options, attention now turns to whether the club can bring back the coach who delivered its greatest successes.
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— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) June 19, 2026