Baskonia begins search for new coach after winning the Copa del Rey. The management of Kosner Baskonia did not guarantee Galbiati a second year on his contract. The club is already looking for a new coach, despite its first Copa del Rey win since 2009. The decision has raised questions among fans.
Vitoria has become the center of basketball discussions: Kosner Baskonia management has once again started searching for a head coach, despite Paolo Galbiati bringing the club its first Copa del Rey victory since 2009. The Italian specialist, who signed a “1+1” contract, did not receive a guarantee from the club for a second season, even though it was under his guidance that the team returned to titles after a long hiatus.
According to RUSSPAIN, even before the Copa del Rey final, Baskonia representatives were in contact with potential candidates for the head coach position. After Galbiati's unexpected success, talks were put on hold, but now the club has resumed its search for a replacement. Galbiati himself has openly admitted that he has repeatedly been at risk of being dismissed, calling himself a “survivor” after the final.
Within the team and among fans, Galbiati enjoys support: players note his engagement and passion for basketball, while president Josean Querejeta has emphasized his hard work and dedication. Nevertheless, this was not enough for an automatic contract extension. After the Cup victory, the Italian coach asked the club to confirm the second year of his contract, but was refused.
The situation surrounding the Baskonia coaching staff is reminiscent of other high-profile personnel decisions in Spanish sports. For example, there was a recent discussion in Madrid about the possible sale of a key Atlético player—the details were covered in a piece about negotiations with PSG for a record sum: Atlético prepares to sell Julián Álvarez.
Galbiati, who has a record of victories in Italy and now in Spain, will not be out of work: his name has already been mentioned among the candidates for the position at Virtus. Significant changes are expected on the European coaching market during the upcoming off-season. For Baskonia, this decision could be a turning point: the club had long struggled to return to its previous level, and reclaiming titles under Galbiati became a major event for fans and the entire Basque basketball scene.
For reference: Baskonia is one of the leading basketball clubs in Spain, regularly competing in the Endesa League and the EuroLeague. The team's previous major success before this season was in 2020, when they won the Spanish championship amid the pandemic. The Copa del Rey is traditionally considered one of the most prestigious national tournaments, and winning it often influences the club's future strategy.
