Bosnian-Belgian coach Rozmir Ceviko is one of those figures who combine European expertise with Gulf experience. He holds the UEFA Pro coaching license and previously worked as part of the coaching staff of the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. He has also had multiple coaching stints with prominent clubs in Europe, Asia, and the Arab world. In his interview with Al-Riyadiya, Ceviko discusses his assessment of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team's journey, what the team needs to return to international competition, his views on Saudi football, his experience with Al-Wehda, and his ambition to return to the Saudi Roshn League.

How do you assess the performance of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in the 2026 World Cup after their exit in the Round of 16? What are the main factors that affected the team's performance? I think the team put in good performances and showed clear quality and potential, but some young players still need more experience at this high level. Major tournaments require maturity and experience, which players gain through continuous participation. I worked as head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team between 2020 and 2021, so I know some players well and understand their capabilities. Since then, several young players with great talent have also emerged. I see the elimination from the tournament as largely a natural result of a lack of experience in major international competitions, but at the same time, the foundation is there, and there are talents capable of delivering better in the future. The important thing now is to continue working in the right direction, strengthen team unity, and be patient. I am convinced that success will come with continuity and development.

What does the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team need in the coming years to become more competitive in major international tournaments? The first step should be to conduct a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the World Cup participation to identify mistakes and determine areas for improvement. But in football, there is no long time to dwell on the past because upcoming commitments are near, including the UEFA Nations League matches starting in September, where the team faces tough away games against Poland and Romania, in addition to matches against Sweden and Poland. The team must benefit from the World Cup experience and work on developing young players, focusing on stability, unity, and team spirit. The experience gained by the players in this tournament will be very important, and with patience, continuity, and hard work, I believe the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team will be more competitive in the future.

How do you assess your current experience with Al-Wehda in the Yelo League, in terms of the team's level and the ambition to return to the Saudi Roshn League? I think we achieved a very good result, especially considering the team's situation when I arrived. Al-Wehda was in 17th place and fighting for survival, but we managed to finish the season in 10th place. With a bit more luck, we might have even competed for a promotion playoff spot. Given the circumstances under which I took over, I consider what was achieved an important accomplishment. The team proved it has quality and potential, and with stability, proper planning, and appropriate reinforcements, I believe Al-Wehda is capable of building a team that can strongly compete for a return to the Saudi Roshn League.

In your opinion, what are the main strengths of Saudi football today, and what are the main challenges a coach faces in the Yelo League compared to the Roshn League? Saudi football has witnessed significant development in recent years and has started attracting world-class players and coaches, along with massive investments that have contributed to raising the level of the league and increasing its presence on the international stage.