How Sasha Obradovic Became Hapoel Jerusalem’s Surprise Coaching Choice

Hapoel Jerusalem hired Serbian coach Sasha Obradovic, 57, after a long search that intensified once owner Matan Adelson bought the club. Earlier attempts to bring in a top European coach failed, mainly because of security concerns, but this summer the club finally landed its target.

Obradovic had been high on Jerusalem’s list for some time. Adelson’s representative Gal Mekel knew him from playing against his teams and from an earlier attempt by Obradovic to bring Mekel to Alba Berlin. Their first meeting was by chance at last season’s EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, where Adelson and Mekel also sounded out several coaches while Jonathan Alon’s future was still undecided.

Only after Jerusalem’s EuroCup exit did the club decide Alon would not continue. A delegation including Adelson, Mekel, CEO Oren Arieli and professional director Dan Shamir then traveled to the Final Four in Athens, with two goals, to secure a long-term EuroLeague place and appoint a coach. The club met four or five candidates, some in person and some on Zoom, before learning that Obradovic would not stay at Red Star after its semifinal loss to Partizan Belgrade in the Adriatic League.

Jerusalem then put him on a flight to Athens for a private meeting in a hotel room. Obradovic showed interest and said he understood that life in Israel continues normally despite the security situation, and that he could move there with his wife. The club was also impressed by how he has evolved from a tough, rigid coach into one who can lead stars such as Mike James and Elie Okobo.

Jerusalem’s initial offer was 750,000 euros, more than he earned at Red Star, and the club wanted to close the deal quickly. Obradovic was promised a larger player budget and the chance to build around the team’s star and league MVP, Jared Harper.