By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Chus Mateo has been named as the head coach of Real Madrid for the next two seasons, the team announced and also parted ways with Pablo Laso upon mutual agreement Tuesday.
Mateo, 53, split his initial stint with the Whites from 1990 to 2004 between the senior and junior teams and returned in 2014 emerging as an assistant coach under Pablo Laso. Jobs between the two long runs at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and ACB giant featured him at Fuenlabrada, Unicaja, and Zaragoza.
Per the press release: “Real Madrid C. F. is pleased to announce that Chus Mateo will be the first team basketball coach for the next two seasons, until 30 June 2024.
Chus Mateo has been involved with Real Madrid as a youth coach or assistant coach from 1990 to 2004 as well as assistant coach to Pablo Laso from 2014 to the present day.
At the same time, Real Madrid C. F. and Pablo Laso have decided by mutual agreement to terminate the latter’s contract as coach of the first basketball team.
Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Pablo Laso for guiding our team during one of the most successful periods in our history.
During the 11 seasons, he has managed our basketball first team, Pablo Laso has won 22 trophies: 2 European Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 6 League titles, 6 Copa del Rey trophies and 7 Super Cups.
Pablo Laso has become one of the club’s greatest and most cherished legends, equalling the 22 trophies won by Lolo Sáinz, and second only to Pedro Ferrándiz, who won 27 trophies.
Pablo Laso’s tenure at Real Madrid has come to an end and he is now the coach who has managed the most games (860) and achieved the most victories (659).
Real Madrid would like to wish him and his family all the best in this new stage of his life. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
After Laso suffered a heart attack during the 2022 Playoffs of Spain’s Liga Endesa, Mateo was named interim head coach and led Madrid to the 36th domestic league championship in team history. Briefer interim stints covered previous absences of Laso.