By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following FC Bayern Munich clinching a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague spot for the first time, club president Herbert Hainer praised Andrea Trinchieri and signaled his intention to extend the Italian head coach’s contract beyond the 2020-21 season. His interview was shared on Bayern’s official site.
“Both sides agreed in the summer to focus first on this season,” he noted regarding the current contract, “As a result, we are on a great path. We especially like his detailed and passionate work. And through our conversations, I get the impression that he also likes it very much here in Munich. I don’t think we are the only side wanting to meet soon and talk about working together beyond this season.”
Trinchieri, 50, took over the head coaching responsibilities prior to the 2020-21 season. His efforts so far translated into a 20-13 EuroLeague record and a historic playoffs berth.
“Last summer, we sat down with Marko Pesic and Daniele Baiesi analyzing what we must improve and what we want to do differently. We agreed we wanted to make the team more attractive, athletic, and aggressive. These needed the appropriate head coach,” said Hainer, “We chose Andrea Trinchieri among several candidates. Today, we can admit we were lucky in making the absolute right choice.”
“We won many games in the third and fourth quarter,” he added describing the team’s fighting spirit under Trinchieri, “Against Zalgiris Kaunas, we secured the win in the final seconds. The character the head coach has incorporated in this team is an ideal match for FC Bayern Munich.”
The last batch of Regular Season games will determine the playoffs opponent for Bayern with plenty of scenarios in play.
“Anything can happen in a playoff series,” he pointed out looking forward to the next round, “I believe this team is capable of winning any game. But even if the quarterfinals don’t go our way, the team can be extremely proud of its achievements this season. Nobody can take them away from the team.”
Hainer, 66, also touched on the future hoping for long-term success for the German powerhouse.
“Short-term success is not my thing,” he stressed, “When building a team like ours, you have to think long-term.”