Golavt

Hi there! Our website isn’t updated regularly in other languages right now — only in Slovenian.
We’re a volunteer project about women’s football and we’re always looking for fans who’d like to join our team! If you’d love to help or contribute, we’d be happy to hear from you info@golavt.com

This time before the start of the spring part, we invited Urška Žganec to our microphone in front of Petar Kristan. Žganec leads ŽNK Ljubljana and is currently the only female coach in the Slovenian Women's Football League.

After concluding your active playing career, you ventured into coaching. Was that a natural decision?

Despite coaching younger selections during my playing career, continuing the coaching path was not automatic. Initially, I planned a short break from football, but things unfolded differently, partly due to circumstances and the trust of the girls in me. Today, I am here, still persevering, and grateful for the opportunity to work in this role.

We are not where we want to be yet - Golavt
© Marko Terlikar

You followed in the footsteps of Nuša Ladinek. Now that you have this role, do you feel any responsibility or pressure representing women in football?

No, I don't feel any additional pressure. I don't focus on being the only female coach in the league; rather, I concentrate on how I can contribute to the development of football and my team. My main goal is to be honest, dedicated, and effective, helping my team achieve its set objectives. However, I believe that the number of female coaches in the 1st league is too small, indicating one of the challenges we face. In my opinion, it's crucial to create a supportive environment that provides equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender.

Why do you think there are fewer female coaches in Slovenian football? Is it due to a lack of clubs, or do club managements lack trust?

Probably a bit of both, along with traditional views, lack of support, and opportunities for women in football, etc.

Moving on to this season, what is your overall assessment of the first part? 

We make progress every season, but we are not where we want to be yet. We've achieved some important victories and shown improvement in our game, but I would like more consistency. The players train diligently and strive in every practice and game. Their desire for improvement is crucial for our progress.

Many see Ljubljana as the top team behind the leading duo of Mura and Olimpija. 

My opinion is that we have the best team in the league.

What do you lack to seriously challenge them?

Both teams have good players who can mostly focus solely on football. Our approach and work methods are slightly different, requiring more time to achieve set goals. For us, it's important to stay together, be close, and progress slowly. Then we'll see where it leads us in the end. I believe we already cause concerns for both teams. We've beaten Olimpija this year, and with Mura, it was very close twice. We often joke in the team that when 11 players finish the game, we'll beat them too.

Before the start of the spring part, the team was strengthened by Karmen Godina and Patrija Steklačič. Lara Klopčič also joined but will miss the spring part due to rehabilitation. Are you satisfied with the reinforcements, and were there any departures?

We are satisfied with the reinforcements. Each of them will contribute an important piece to achieving team goals. We wanted to add one more player, but unfortunately, an agreement was not reached. We have no departures to report.

Urška Žganec leads ŽNK Ljubljana and is currently the only female coach in the Slovenian Women's Football League. - Golavt
© Marko Terlikar
Advert



Marko Terlikar
info@golavt.com

Objavljeno:

Stay updated with the latest news and interesting updates

Carpediem d.o.o.