By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Confirming reports regarding Svetislav Pesic extending his stint as the head coach of the senior national team of Serbia, the Basketball Federation of Serbia made it official.
The new KSS president Nebojsa Covic presented Pesic as the returning head coach on Sunday.
“It was not my intention to extend my spell. I had other goals and plans, and some other obligations,” mentioned Kari referring to earlier statements in favor of his departure, “There were no negotiations. It was more conversations. Honestly, I thought I had completed my work with Serbian basketball and the national team. But, never say never.”
Pesic, 75, is committed until next summer. The next task is advancing to the 2025 EuroBasket through Group G of the Qualifiers. At 2-0, Serbia leads the race for two tickets opposite Denmark and Georgia, thus nearing a berth in the final stage of the tournament. A home-and-away series against Denmark follows in November. In the February window, a road game versus Finland and playing at home against Georgia completes the six-game double-legged round-robin schedule.
“We have four more games,” Pesic described the challenge before contending for a medal in next summer’s EuroBasket.
Since taking over in 2021, he was behind a bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic Games and a silver medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
“I hope I fulfilled the wish of the public, fans, and players, to continue as head coach, but one day someone else has to take over,” explained Pesic.