JOSIP JURANOVIC has revealed he snubbed the chance to move to some of Europe‘s biggest clubs because he was not willing to be second choice.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were just some of the top clubs linked with a move for the player.
The Croatian international said he chose Union Berlin because he wanted to play regularly. He explained that he was unwilling to become a bench warmer at some of Europe‘s biggest clubs and thus decided to join Union Berlin, where he knew he would be guaranteed playing time in a top league.
He explained how leaving Celtic wasn’t an easy decision, opening up on how much he loved his time at the club. Juranovic said: [The Herald]
“I don’t want to talk about the names of the clubs, but I will tell you that we had several options on the table. Some of those clubs were – I don’t know how else to say it – much bigger than Union Berlin.
“But I would have gone to these clubs as a back-up option and I was not interested in that. Not because I’m afraid of competition, but because I want to play all the time and be in the eyes of Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic.
“Previously, some Croatian players signed for big clubs and didn’t play for them and were dropped from the national team. I couldn’t take the risk.
“That’s why Union Berlin was my choice, because I was clearly told that they would bring me as a player they see in the first team and they are also a big club who are high up in the Bundesliga.
“But leaving Celtic was very difficult for me. I met so many good people there, so many friends who will remain my friends for the rest of my life.
“Sometimes I wonder if I was only there for 18 months because that time flew by.
“Celtic is a world institution, such a big club, a club that the fans adore so much. I shudder when I think about the 60,000 fans at every home game.
“Those derbies against Rangers are a special experience and you immediately understand why it is one of the biggest games that exist in the football world.
“At Celtic, the players respected each other. In Scotland, the football was hard, but fair.
“Celtic is a special way of life and I will remember those 18 months for the rest of my life.”
Despite only having a season and a half at Celtic, Josip Juranovic’s impact on the side must not be understated; he was one of the key players during Postecoglou’s first season, who helped turn things around and bring the league back home to Paradise.
