Željko Obradović has cut off the speculation about his future with one sentence that leaves no room for interpretation. Asked about Barcelona's alleged interest, the legendary Serbian coach answered briefly and coldly: „What do I think about Barça's alleged interest? I think nothing. I can't say anything because it has nothing to do with me.” For a man who holds the EuroLeague in his hands like no one else, the denial carries more weight than confirmation would.

Obradović denies holding talks with any team since he left the bench mid-season. „These stories don't interest me. I don't know who started them. Barça hasn't spoken to me. In fact, no one has, because right now I'm staying out of everything,” said the coach. He said the same back in November, and now he repeats it: he won't make a decision before the end of the month.

He doesn't want to rush, and that's entirely in his style. „We'll wait for the leagues to finish - Italy, Spain. As soon as the competitions are over, I'll sit down and talk with my manager, who is more of a friend than a manager. Then we'll see,” Obradović added. When one of the greatest coaches in European basketball history says „we'll see,” the whole league waits.

Interestingly, Obradović didn't even confirm that he wants to return to the bench at all. „I didn't even say I want to coach again. I said nothing. I need time to think before I decide,” he said. For Barcelona he had only a diplomatic compliment - „a great club, in a beautiful city” - and a reminder that every season twelve or fourteen teams dream of the EuroLeague. Normal, he says. And yet, few of them have won it with his signature on the bench.