“The Superliga is very competitive. I was like a commando who pushed a fighting machine.” The Bosnian on the revelation bench announces a heated duel with Romania, in the WC 2026 preliminaries. EXCLUSIVE

Sanjin Alagic was in the first part of the 2024-2025 season the de facto coach of Petrol. Holder of the Pro license and a technician with enough experience, he secured the back of the Turkish Mehmet Topal, who only has an A license.

Alagic collaborated well with him and declared himself delighted with the experience he had at Petrolula formation that is among the revelations of the Superliga, finishing in 6th place in 2024.

Sanjin Alajic: “I was like a commando who pushed a fighting machine”

Topal’s resignation and Adrian Mutu’s imminent arrival at Petrolul led to Alajic’s departure. ProSport contacted him in Sarajevo, where Alagic livesto tell about the experience in Romania.

ProSport: How was Petrolul?

Sanjin Alagic: A very good experience, positive for my career. I met quality people, made friends and extracted everything I could from these few months spent in Romania.

But how did you get to Ploiesti?

I was part of the initial plan made by the Turkish investors. After they left, I stayed precisely because I felt good and I liked it. We had a good collaboration with Mehmet Topal and the other staff members and we complemented each other well.

In theory you should have just covered Topal’s back who doesn’t have a Pro license?

That’s not how the problem was posed. Mehmet needed not only this cover but also someone with more experience. We collaborated well, even if he had the final decision. Topal is a former great player of Turkey and can become an excellent coach. Like anyone, he also needs experiences, from which to accumulate. He has qualities, he knows how to impose himself in front of the players, he is respected, there is potential behind him.

Do you expect him to leave?

Honestly, no. But it is his decision, which must be respected. It is not easy for anyone to work away from home, away from family. Mehmet Topal has a positive personality, there were no problems at Petrolul.

“Claudiu Tudor gave me money from him when there were problems”

Any problems?

No issues other than the well known ones. The lack of optimal training conditions and salary delays are known. But they didn’t affect the team that much. Hats off to the club management, who have always stood by the team. And Claudiu Tudor and Cristi Fogorassy pushed the team, along with the staff, players and fans. Actually, that’s what I really liked about Petrolul. I was like a commando troop pushing a war machine, throwing all kinds of stuff into it. Figuratively speaking of course.

Is it hard to do your job under these conditions?

There are delays with money in many countries of the world. The leaders were super fair to me. Claudiu Tudor also gave me money from him, when there were delays and I needed it. And I think not only me. He is a leader who does everything for the club. Of course, you can’t operate with debt and insecurity forever, but at Petrolul efforts were made to make things go well. Which he hopes will continue to happen.

What do you think Petrol lacks to be a top team?

Petrol is a top team, regardless of the situation. It has tradition, it has supporters, it had an exceptional Centenary. It is inexplicable how a city with industry, with refineries, does not get involved in helping the symbol of the region. I think this team deserves a lot more attention. Then there is the training base, which, in fact, is not. I don’t understand how a city doesn’t have a training base and you have to move from one field to another, keep an eye on the weather so it doesn’t rain, etc. Having training conditions is the essential factor in building a team.

“The Romanian Superliga is very competitive”

What do you think of football in the Romanian Superliga?

Competitive, it’s a very contested league. All matches are strong. You can lose or win with any team. It was only seen that FCSB took a beating in Botoșani. The champion versus the bottom ranked. They play hard.

How is it in Bosnia?

There are about four strong teams and that’s it. They beat up, and the rest for what remains. The competition is not as balanced as in Romania. Valorically, the big teams would cope in Romania.

What is your fondest memory from here?

The atmosphere around the team. The fans are always with us, there hasn’t been a trip where they weren’t with us. This conveys a special message and even an energy to the team.

And the worst memory?

The match with U Cluj, which we categorically lost. Actually, not so much the match, that it can happen, but the disappointment we created.

“Romania’s national team is above Bosnia’s”

Was it the first experience in Romania?

As direct involvement, yes. As a visit, no. I was with the U21 national team of Bosnia, where I was a coach, in Constanța in 2018. Romania beat us then with 2-0. It was that team with Man, Pușcaș, Ianis Hagi, Coman. Your national team then reached the final tournament, where they reached the semifinals. I saw some footballers that I met then in the championship. Pașcanu, at Rapid, Oaidă and Freshman at U Cluj, I think there are more.

Now Romania and Bosnia are opponents in the WC 2026 preliminaries. How do you see the duel?

Bosnia is under reconstruction. Austria and Romania are favourites, but you never know. There will be heated matches. I would like Bosnia to win the World Cup. But I have to be fair and realistic. Romania’s organization and value are now beyond what we have. It can be seen that you worked well, on some clear programs. This is also being tried in Bosnia now.

Who is the best Bosnian footballer of the moment?

You all know Dzeko right? It’s holding up well even at almost 39 years old. There are also Kolasinac, from Atalanta, Demirovic, from Stuttgart, or Tabakovic, from Hoffenheim. We no longer have that generation with Pjanic, Ibisevic, Spahic, Begovic, Misimovici etc, but Bosnia also has young people who are catching up. Tahirovic, from Ajax, is 21 years old, Muharemovic, from Sassuolo, as well. There will be close matches in this group.

„Dzeko is a phenomenon”

How long will Dzeko play?

I hope as much as possible. Dzeko is a phenomenon, because he didn’t burn the stages. He left Bosnia at 19 and went to the Czech Republic. At the age of 20, he was playing in the second league in the Czech Republic. Then it started to grow. He is a stable footballer. Four years at Wolsfburg, five at Manchester City, six at Roma, two at Inter Milan, now at Fenerbahce.

Would you recommend Bosnian footballers to come and play in Romania?

Why not? Koljic and Lukic are already in Craiova. I had the last one as a U21 player. The problem is that even in Bosnia, teams rely on selling players. Just like here. And to sell you can sell where there is money. It is difficult for a Romanian club to buy Bosnians. And vice versa. And then, they all look to give the players to teams in countries that can pay. Then there is the footballer’s option. They all shoot West, not East. But as an intermediate option, the Superliga would be a good option for the Bosnians.

“Jyry is a complete footballer”

Can anyone get higher from Petrolul?

And Petrol has to sell, especially since it has no financial possibilities. I really liked Tommi Jyry. He is a complete player, despite his height, and with a special upbringing. Keita, Roche, Tudorie could also step up. So is Mihnea Rădulescu, who is only 18 years old. He made a fantastic jump. I would be happy to see these footballers, someday, make a value leap. There is another very good kid at Petrolul, Stancovic, he has exceptional qualities. I have worked a lot with young people and I have eyes. It should be grown as quickly as possible.

Romania, as a country, how did you think?

It’s a European country, with friendly and civilized people. I hope to come back here, I am proud to have been to Petrolul. I will really remain a supporter of this team. I have also worked in Kuwait, Kenya, Slovakia, Bahrain in my career, but I really liked the atmosphere here.