A stimulating discussion, a positive atmosphere and an interesting exchange of opinions on current topics were at the heart of Dinamo President Zvonimir Boban's meeting with journalists on Friday in the press room at Maksimir Stadium. President Boban invited representatives of all media outlets, and at the journalists' request the meeting was moved from its original Thursday date and held on Friday morning. The Dinamo president spent almost two hours answering a wide range of questions.

Topics related to the sporting side dominated, of course, including the recent change of head coach, news about the Academy, stadium matters, the possible location of a future training camp...

President Boban particularly emphasised that at the debut of new coach Jerko Leko in Sunderland, something specific, unique and historically singular happened: in a single match, such immense energy was created that the players, the coach and everyone at Dinamo somehow “came back to life” after some earlier “gloomy moments.” After the win in Sunderland, it was clear that Leko would become the permanent solution as head coach.

– I told Jerko back then that he would remain head coach, so the later match in Varaždin was not decisive. And Varaždin was again played in superb fashion. The team was very compact, solid and dominant. You have to recognise that. None of us expected it, but it is great that it happened. You have to respect that energy. The only normal thing was to continue with Leko.

However, President Boban also recalled that it hurt him to see Leko's predecessor Mario Kovačević become a target of negativity in the media, despite working with exceptional dedication and professionalism.

– What hurt me in particular was that some in the media suggested I was dictating to him who would play. The moment someone orders that to a coach, it is all over. It is better to part ways immediately than to tell him who will play. A coach depends on whom he puts on the pitch; he must be deeply convinced of his own choice.

Journalists were also interested in the specific roles of the experts in Dinamo's sporting sector, particularly Albert Capellas. President Boban explained that Capellas, in addition to his role as Academy director, also serves as director of football, meaning he is responsible for the sporting side from the first team and Dinamo II down to the youngest age groups within the Academy.

– We are happy that Capellas agreed to come and work with us and build something that, I am sure, will be unique. The outlines and some concrete results are already visible, especially in the younger age groups, where it is much easier to apply such knowledge and such an identity. It is not about the system negating the individual, but about the system giving him the structure within which he can fully realise his talent. And when our children do this from the age of eight, that is wonderful. Come and see how our eight- and nine-year-olds play, so you can get a picture of how we work at Dinamo. I think we will create something unique at the European level. We have brought in a man who is, objectively, world-class.

President Boban added that young Spanish coach Pol Planas will soon take charge of Dinamo II, and that from 1 January the first-team coaching staff will include Bayern's current analyst Emanuel Jozić.

There are also new ideas regarding the future training camp.

– We have a solution; we would like to buy land in the vicinity of Zagreb. The first team and Dinamo II would probably be based at the camp, along with the juniors, while the youngest players would continue to train at the stadium – added President Boban, who stayed on after the formal part to talk further with media representatives.