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NEBOJŠA JOVOVIĆ IN THE MIRROR: Football is as unpredictable as life
Today’s guest in MNE magazin’s column ,,U ogledalu” (,,In the mirror”), Montenegrin football expert Nebojša Jovović, is the heart and soul of the Jordan club Al-Faisaly. He won three trophies with them and how much he is loved and respected shows recent extension of the contract to a year, as well as spreading of the Montenegrin flag, carrying on the shoulders and chanting of supporters.
Jovović says that football is as unpredictable as life. The man he is constantly learning from is motivational speaker and writer Robin Sharma, Jovović reveals in this column. He loves Russian literature, especially Dostoyevsky. He believes that Nikola Tesla would make people happy even today.
He is married to Aleksandra and has three children – Nataša, Luka and Vuk.
What is your first association to childhood?
– Childhood associates me of carefree, chasing for the ball until dark and hunger for revealing new things.
Do you recall your first earned pocket money? How did you spend it?
– Sportsmen start earning money early, they become independent and therefore they are more mature than people their age. I do not recall exactly when I earned my first pocket money, but I was always rational. There were fellowships in Budućnost’s junior team that we spent together. We were marveling guys from the A team and dreamed of the big scene. The rest was secondary.
What do you insist on in your job?
– Football is a team game where details prevail. I love to plan, but football is as unpredictable as life. Those who adapt quickly and react to the new situation with quality have more chances to win. Everything is important, each segment is most important. I am happy when I predict events and conduct the planned.
Which book/film would you recommend?
– Robin Sharma is one of my motivational coaches and I am constantly learning from him. When I do not watch football, I read and that gives me new energy and open up new horizons. Russian literature and Dostoyevsky are, let’s say, special and they are my choice when I am playing it safe.
Which dish you like most?
– I am not a gourmand, people often remind me that I had skipped a meal. I mostly enjoy in fasting. I drink tea then and feel good.
What is needed for true love?
– In order for it to be true love, it has to last. In order to last, it has to be nurtured. Family and football are in front of me and if I do all I can for them, then I am happy and that gives me energy to keep going.
Whom artist would you relive and why?
– Nikola Tesla was an artist and connected ideas of scientists and artists. He gave so much and could have given even more. Energy moves us and we all lack in gathering the positive one and casting aside the negative one as much as possible. I believe he would make people happy even today.
Travel you remember most?
– It is hard to separate one because by working in football I have travelled a lot. Jordan is the tenth country I had been living and working in. China is special, one does not forget Scandinavia, but one family trip to Florence brings everyone smiles and pleasant memories.
The song of your life is?
– I have already said that the job of the coach is to adapt quickly and react to the new situation. It is so with music as well. I enjoy it and make sure that every day is a song. The song of Al Faisaly’s supporters is a moving force that carried us to three trophies this season. It is the music I enjoy most in at this moment.
Mn.M.
Photo: Private archive
