Dejan Savić Appointed as Montenegro’s New Head Coach
Nearly four months after Vladimir Gojković stepped down as the head coach of the Montenegrin national water polo team, Montenegro has named its new leader. The position will be taken over by the legendary Serbian player and coach, Dejan Savić.
A Legendary Career in the Pool
Born on April 24, 1975, in Belgrade, Dejan Savić is one of the most celebrated figures in water polo history. During his playing career, he participated in four Olympic Games, winning a total of three medals: two bronze medals—representing FR Yugoslavia in Sydney 2000 and Serbia in Beijing 2008—and a silver medal for Serbia and Montenegro in Athens 2004.
Success as a Coach
After retiring as a player, Savić transitioned into coaching, taking charge of Serbian club Crvena Zvezda in 2011. Under his leadership, the club achieved tremendous success, including winning the LEN Champions League in the 2012/13 season.
In 2012, Savić was appointed as the head coach of Serbia’s national team, where he orchestrated a decade of dominance on the international stage. During his tenure, Serbia claimed:
- Two Olympic gold medals (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020)
- One World Championship gold (Kazan 2015)
- Three consecutive European Championship titles (2014, 2016, 2018)
Savić’s era with Serbia firmly established the team as one of the greatest in water polo history.
Recent Coaching Roles
After stepping down as Serbia’s head coach in October 2022, Savić briefly returned to club-level coaching, leading Crvena Zvezda in early 2023 before mutually parting ways with the team. Later that year, he took charge of Maltese club Sliema during the summer league, marking his first coaching assignment abroad in years. His last appointment was in Saudi Arabia.
A New Chapter with Montenegro
Savić’s appointment as Montenegro’s head coach signals a new chapter for the team, which aims to return to the top of European and global water polo under his guidance. With his wealth of experience and proven track record, Savić’s leadership is expected to elevate Montenegro’s performance on the international stage.
The entire water polo world will be watching closely as one of the sport’s most decorated figures embarks on this exciting new journey.
