By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The tour of Europe in order to sign with the coach who will lead Fenerbahce to success! During the last two weeks Kemal Dinçer, the new GM of the team, has already met and spoken by phone with some of the best coaches in Europe (Zeljko Obradovic, Dusan Ivkovic, Simone Pianigiani, Ettore Messina) and analyzes in Eurohoops.net his plans.
The rumor of the day wanted him to be in Athens for talks with Zeljko Obradovic, but he denied it: “I’m at home in Istanbul shortly after my trip to Treviso for Eurocamp” briefed to clarify that “indeed, we are looking for a coach to lead us to the Turkish league and to the Euroleague Final Four. In the last 10-15 days, we have talked with the coaches you mentioned (Zeljko Obradovic, Dusan Ivkovic, Simone Pianigiani, Ettore Messina), we have explained them our plan, our thoughts about the team and in a week we’ll take our final decision”.
But isn’t it however surprising for Fener that they haven’t already made an offer or may haven’t given an advantage to someone? “We are looking for the best option for our team, for this coach that will manage to adapt to the philosophy of a huge team like Fenerbahce and lead us in the Turkish league and the Euroleague’s Final Four. Do not forget that during the last six years we won four times the championship in Turkey. We have budget of 20 million euros, 20 million fans, many and powerful sponsors, good players under contract and we need a good coach to organize everything so that we achieve our goals”.
During our conversation, Mr. Dinçer used more than five times the words “Final Four”. It’s the major goal of the team, his dream and it isn’t secret. Fenerbahce has never taken part in the final phase of Euroleague (nor as Ulker) and in recent years they are… furiously chasing this goal but without success. That’s why during the Final Four in Istanbul a month ago Fener wasn’t there and “it brought us disappointment. It was a shame to not participate in that event in your city. We would love to qualify, but I think we’ll be there next year”.