“I was lucky enough to work with Ratko Rudić to learn” – Elvis Fatović on Coaching Excellence & Leadership

In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Elvis Fatović, head
coach of CN Barceloneta and former Australian national team coach,
reflects on his coaching journey and the influence of legendary
coach Ratko Rudić on his philosophy and leadership style. Fatović
speaks about the transition from national team coaching to daily
club work in Barcelona, explaining why working in a club
environment requires constant presence, communication and emotional
intelligence. He highlights that coaching elite players is not
about teaching basics, but about moderating personalities, creating
trust and guiding a group toward a common goal. A central part of
the discussion focuses on what he learned from Ratko Rudić: the
ability to read people, adapt leadership styles and demand
excellence without losing the human connection. Fatović emphasizes
that great coaches are lifelong learners and must remain
open-minded, even when working with world-class athletes. The
episode offers deep insights into modern coaching at the highest
level, leadership dynamics in elite teams and why being “coachable
as a coach” is essential for long-term success. More about the
podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de