Crvena Zvezda president Zeljko Drcelic hopes to keep Filip Petrusev but stresses financial balance amid rising player costs. He confirms interest in multiple players, praises Milos Teodosic's influence, and hints at a future club role for the veteran star.
The 2024–25 season ended on a sour note for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, crashing out of the Serbian Super League semifinals against Spartak and finishing a turbulent campaign that included both a domestic cup win and a barrage of injuries.
In an interview with Sportal's Stefan Acevski , club president Zeljko Drcelic addressed the club's future across multiple fronts — the status of star big man Filip Petrusev, rumored arrivals like Carsen Edwards, Tyson Carter, and Nikola Vucevic, the coaching situation with Giannis Sferopoulos, and even Milos Teodosic's post-playing career.
Amid speculation, Drcelic painted a picture of a club undergoing a summer of serious decisions — but not panic.
Petrusev, Olympiacos & the buyout
One of the most pressing questions concerns Filip Petrusev, Red Star's top performer this season, who remains officially under contract with Olympiacos. The Serbian big man is on loan, but his performances — and the evolving economics of European basketball — have put his name high on Zvezda's summer agenda.
"Filip is a domestic player, a national team member, and given how NCAA and NBA market dynamics are reshaping European rosters, he's incredibly valuable for us," Drcelic said.
"But as president, I must balance our desire to keep him with the financial reality of the club. There's a Board, a management team, and a budget. I sincerely hope he stays, but a lot can happen between now and the start of next season."
Rumors and the truth
Red Star's name has been linked to a slew of players in recent weeks — Devin Robinson, Carsen Edwards, Nikola Vucevic, Tyson Carter — feeding speculation of a big summer overhaul.
"After the Final Four in Abu Dhabi, rumors exploded — it's normal. Every club is trying to build a squad for what will be an extremely demanding season," Drcelic acknowledged.
Milos Teodosic
| Team: |
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade |
| Position: | PG |
| Age: | 38 |
| Height: | 195 cm |
| Weight: | 87 kg |
| Birth place: | Valjevo, Serbia |
"In Serbia alone, we've supposedly signed ten players according to the media. Truthfully, we do have our targets. We've reached verbal agreements with some players, but many of them are still under contract elsewhere. Out of respect, we won't disrupt their current situations."
Still, he confirmed that some of the rumored names are indeed expected in Belgrade next season — although no names were formally confirmed.
Coach Sfairopoulos: Staying the course
Rumors also suggested the departure of head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos, despite a strong EuroLeague campaign and domestic success earlier in the year. Drcelic's public letter in May backing the Greek coach raised eyebrows — and questions.
"That letter wasn't for the media — it was for our fans and club members," Drcelic explained.
"We extended Sfairopoulos' contract because we believe in him. Despite the disappointing finish, we had a 16–10 EuroLeague record and won a trophy. Injuries derailed us late, and that's not the coach's fault. He has our trust, and we believe continuity is crucial for long-term success."
Teodosic's future: A new role?
One of Serbian basketball's living legends, Milos Teodosic, is expected to hang up his sneakers this summer. But that doesn't mean he's leaving the club.
"I spoke with Milos — he loves Red Star and understands what's needed to help us grow," Drcelic said.
"There's been misinformation about his role. Whether it's director, advisor, or something else, it's not important. What matters is that he stays part of our system. His experience, reputation, and connections are invaluable."
Zvezda focused on its own path
With rival Partizan surpassing Red Star in total trophy count and taking the Serbian title, some see Zvezda in retreat. Drcelic sees it differently.
"We don't compete with one club. We're focused on long-term growth and improving the structure of the organization. Our goal is to win trophies, of course, but also to build for the future — especially in the EuroLeague, where we've secured a three-year license. That gives us stability."
So what can fans expect from Red Star in 2025–26?
"A better club in every way — from operations to player development. We want to refresh, rejuvenate and strengthen the team. Our youth academy is a top priority despite challenges from the NCAA. And as always, our goals are the same: win everything in Serbia and keep climbing in the EuroLeague."
