2025-10-14, 01:38 AM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2025-10-20, 01:55 AM by TooDear. Edited 1 time in total.)
To say that the recent trade deal was a big deal is an understatement. The trade of Predrag Dobrić to Romana is one of, if not the most expensive trade ever made in the SSL. We can see the details of the trade here. Two players and two picks for the S20 Serbian striker.
Though the deal was officially offered and accepted on the 8th of October, rumors say that negotiations started way earlier. Possibly as early as September 14th. As we see in the article here. In addition to that, many sources claim that Romana wasn't the only club trying to sign Predrag. As many trusted sources said that up until the very end of the transfer saga, Sao Paulo was also trying their best to bring the Dalmatian Serb over. While there was no official bid ever accepted, we can see in this article that USP was also looking for a new Assistant Manager at the same time as Romana.
Fans have been speculating why there had been such a recent development in the SfV/MTL camp. Though with the admission that Predrag will be becoming the AM of Romana when the deal officially goes through, we can speculate. It is likely that he was looking to take more responsibility and was not satisfied with just being a Tactician at his old club. With the OM Puppy and AMs Fara and Tom, SfV was not going to be having any changes to staff any time soon, so becoming a manager at his first club didn't look likely. It is also likely that Predrag was looking to move up into the Majors soon. Being one of the best players from S20, it seemed very likely that he would be playing this season in the Majors but it was in fact another season in Minors that awaited him, and a poor one at that. With Montreal United being currently 5th and only being able to grab 4th at best, it seems like a let down from the once champions. This performance likely spurred on by the transfer of many players to SfV.
Though we can speculate on the motivations all day, what matters is the final results. Despite Sao Paulo wanting to bring him for the same position and playing time as Romana was offering, the currently weaker club was accepted. It is possible that the Sao Paulo offer was never accepted and Schwartzwalder only found Romana's offer acceptable, but as we lack the details of the negotiations we may never know. We can at least shed light on what Predrag's position would have been at the two clubs. For both clubs he would be coming in as an AM and a player in the starting 11 of the Major team. However, with Julian Rubio playing striker for Sao Paulo, it was far more likely that Predrag would be playing on the left wing. A role he is familiar with though he struggled to perform at his usual level when he was put in it for his first season at Montreal. However, as Sao Paulo is quite possibly the best team in the SSL, it is plainly obvious he would have cover and comfort in that role provided that he couldn't have before. As for Romana, he would be slotting in immediately as one of the best players on the team and as the crown jewel of their offense. Almost certainly playing as their first choice striker. With his recent developments as a creative force, it is very likely that Romana would be also counting on him to create chances as well as finish them.
There is also the "romantic ideal" of rebuilding a club that had fallen on hard times. There is no doubt that Predrag would be a winner if he was in Sao Paulo, the club hasn't even peaked yet, but there is something in our human nature that wants to see the underdog prevail. With his tactical ability and performances on the pitch, there's no doubt Romana will be a much better club from S23 and onwards.
Thank you reader for coming along with me on this trip of speculation. What's done is done and what could be never was. All we can do is continue as things are.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by A.C. Romana
Though the deal was officially offered and accepted on the 8th of October, rumors say that negotiations started way earlier. Possibly as early as September 14th. As we see in the article here. In addition to that, many sources claim that Romana wasn't the only club trying to sign Predrag. As many trusted sources said that up until the very end of the transfer saga, Sao Paulo was also trying their best to bring the Dalmatian Serb over. While there was no official bid ever accepted, we can see in this article that USP was also looking for a new Assistant Manager at the same time as Romana.
Fans have been speculating why there had been such a recent development in the SfV/MTL camp. Though with the admission that Predrag will be becoming the AM of Romana when the deal officially goes through, we can speculate. It is likely that he was looking to take more responsibility and was not satisfied with just being a Tactician at his old club. With the OM Puppy and AMs Fara and Tom, SfV was not going to be having any changes to staff any time soon, so becoming a manager at his first club didn't look likely. It is also likely that Predrag was looking to move up into the Majors soon. Being one of the best players from S20, it seemed very likely that he would be playing this season in the Majors but it was in fact another season in Minors that awaited him, and a poor one at that. With Montreal United being currently 5th and only being able to grab 4th at best, it seems like a let down from the once champions. This performance likely spurred on by the transfer of many players to SfV.
Though we can speculate on the motivations all day, what matters is the final results. Despite Sao Paulo wanting to bring him for the same position and playing time as Romana was offering, the currently weaker club was accepted. It is possible that the Sao Paulo offer was never accepted and Schwartzwalder only found Romana's offer acceptable, but as we lack the details of the negotiations we may never know. We can at least shed light on what Predrag's position would have been at the two clubs. For both clubs he would be coming in as an AM and a player in the starting 11 of the Major team. However, with Julian Rubio playing striker for Sao Paulo, it was far more likely that Predrag would be playing on the left wing. A role he is familiar with though he struggled to perform at his usual level when he was put in it for his first season at Montreal. However, as Sao Paulo is quite possibly the best team in the SSL, it is plainly obvious he would have cover and comfort in that role provided that he couldn't have before. As for Romana, he would be slotting in immediately as one of the best players on the team and as the crown jewel of their offense. Almost certainly playing as their first choice striker. With his recent developments as a creative force, it is very likely that Romana would be also counting on him to create chances as well as finish them.
There is also the "romantic ideal" of rebuilding a club that had fallen on hard times. There is no doubt that Predrag would be a winner if he was in Sao Paulo, the club hasn't even peaked yet, but there is something in our human nature that wants to see the underdog prevail. With his tactical ability and performances on the pitch, there's no doubt Romana will be a much better club from S23 and onwards.
Thank you reader for coming along with me on this trip of speculation. What's done is done and what could be never was. All we can do is continue as things are.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by A.C. Romana
![[Image: wjZShPO.png]](https://i.imgur.com/wjZShPO.png)
![[Image: VVtbAxp.png]](https://i.imgur.com/VVtbAxp.png)
