By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
AS Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic commented on a recent report that he’ll be leaving the team this summer despite being signed to a contract until 2025.
“The world of basketball is small,” said Obradovic after Monaco’s win over JL Bourg en Bresse for the French League playoffs, per L’Equipe. “There are always rumors, ‘information’ around the signing of players or coaches, even in the middle of the season. Agents play games to test or prepare the market and look for drop-off points for their clients… Concerning me directly, I don’t know what it’s all about, but I respect all the great coaches. Xavi Pascual and other coaches of this caliber deserve to take charge of the best teams. Monaco is one of them, given what we have achieved this season.”
This year Obradovic’s Monaco advanced to the 2023 EuroLeague Final Four in just its second campaign in the competition. Last season and as a EuroLeague debutant, the Monegasque side made the playoffs.
“If my future is not to stay in Monaco, I will take note of it and accept it,” Obradovic added.
Obradovic was reported to be parting ways with Monaco and that Xavi Pascual and Andrea Trinchieri are included on the list of his potential replacements.
“I’ve been in this business long enough to understand how these things work,” Obradovic mentioned. “There is always a political dimension. If what I produce is not enough, or if there is someone better than me in the market, so be it. I have to say though that I can’t give more than what I gave this year. My dedication to my mission and my professionalism were never in question. If my future is not to stay in Monaco, I will take note of it and accept it, like any decision coming from the governing bodies of the club.”
Misko Raznatovic, Obradovic’s agent, said the following to L’Equipe: “No discussion to my knowledge around a replacement of the Monaco coach. This is false information.”