Hapoel Jerusalem Appoints Sasha Obradovic as New Coach, Owner Emphasizes Winning Over Style

Following the departure of coach Yonatan Alon at the end of the 2025/26 season, Hapoel Jerusalem officially introduced Sasha Obradovic as their new head coach during a press conference on July 7, 2026. Owner Matan Idelson explained the rationale behind the hiring, stating that to compete at the highest levels, including the EuroLeague, the club needed a coach with experience at that level. "Sasha checked all the boxes for us," Idelson said, highlighting Obradovic's extensive coaching background, including multiple teams and reaching the EuroLeague Final Four, which aligns with the club's ambitions.

Idelson expressed gratitude for securing Obradovic, noting the coach's hunger and motivation to take on the challenge despite the complexities of the club and country. He described the appointment as a perfect fit and expressed hope for a long and successful partnership filled with joyful moments. Regarding coaching philosophy, Idelson emphasized that winning is paramount over any particular style or system, praising Obradovic's leadership qualities as ideal for the role.

When asked about the possibility of Obradovic returning to Israel in the future, Idelson said it was unpredictable but stressed the collective desire for basketball and broader stability to return to Israel. He concluded by affirming the club's commitment to doing its best and becoming the organization they aspire to be.