June 5 – Rasim Ljajić, the new President of Partizan Belgrade, revealed that the club reduced its debts by €13m to €47m. Following a meeting of the General Assembly, the highest governing body of the club has also elected a new leadership team for a five-year term.
Ljajić, previously the head of the Interim Board, was elected Club President. His closest associates—Predrag Mijatovic, Danko Lazovic, and Milka Forcan—also received the delegates’ confidence. Mijatovic and Lazovic were appointed Vice Presidents responsible for sporting matters, while Milka Forcan will serve as the third Vice President in charge of business affairs.
“We’ve decided that members of the current Working Group remain on the Board,” saidLjajić. “We will engage with businesspeople, former players, and sports professionals. We need fresh energy and people willing to help rebuild the club. As for finances, we inherited a €60 million debt, which now stands at €47 million. Gross salaries were reduced from €1.3 million to €1 million, staff numbers went from 164 to 123, and youth academy coaches from 62 to 45. Between October 21 and May 31, €15,464,072 flowed into the club, primarily from state aid and major sponsors—Telekom, Zijin, MaxBet, and Soccer—all under contracts valid for at least two more years. Our goals remain: to strengthen the club, infrastructure, and youth academy, and to fight for trophies. Partizan does not accept second or third place—we must strive to meet our goals,”
Milka Forcan explained her role as Vice President for business policy, saying “Alongside sports matters, we must resolve financial, legal, infrastructural, and economic issues. We aim to form a business club, strengthen our sponsorship pool, and improve media relations. Partizan is not just a football club—it’s emotion and passion, a symbol of struggle. This drives our business decisions.”
A better financial situation will be at the top of the priorities of the new leaders of the club.
“We can stabilise finances either by increasing income or reducing expenses,” Ljajić added. “We have to do both. We talked to businesspeople. We need to reduce the number of employees, while also considering the social aspect. We had a situation where €127,000 was spent on fuel, this year it will not exceed € 40,000. That’s just one small aspect. We will save wherever possible. We want to send a message that this is the only way to stabilise the club.”
Contact the writer of this story, Alex Krassimirov, at moc.l1749221668labto1749221668ofdlr1749221668owedi1749221668sni@o1749221668fni1749221668