By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
It’s official, Pablo Laso is the new head coach of Bayern Munich, as the Spanish coach signed a contract with the German team until 2025.
The 55-year-old Basque was received over the weekend by general manager Marko Pesic and sports director Daniele Baiesi to finalize the paperwork.
“It’s a great honor and I’m glad to be in Munich. I’d like to thank this great club for considering me to be a part of writing Bayern’s next chapter in the EuroLeague and BBL. Naturally, I would be happy to achieve similar successes as in the past, but success is not defined solely by winning the EuroLeague, and that should be clear to everyone. I am 100 percent committed and ready to help Bayern reach the next level of this exciting project,” Laso said.
This is Laso’s first job since leaving Real Madrid, where he was in charge between 2011 and 2022 and won two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titles. Under the stewardship of Laso, Los Blancos reached seven out of a possible 10 Final Fours. He led the Real Madrid team to a total of 22 titles, with six championships and successes in the Copa del Rey of the Spanish ACB league. He also won the Club World Cup (FIBA Intercontinental Cup) with Madrid in 2015.
“He has tremendous experience, has celebrated great successes with Real Madrid, and is one of the most recognized coaches in the EuroLeague,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said of Laso. “Now a new challenge awaits him at FC Bayern, and we are very happy that he believes in our vision.”
Laso parted ways with Real Madrid after the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. The Whites attributed his departure to medical reasons, but the experienced coach claimed to be in good health and had received medical clearance to continue in his position.
However, he was hospitalized and sidelined following a heart attack during the 2022 ACB Playoffs. After a few weeks, Laso returned to celebrate with the interim head coach, Chus Mateo, and the players, as they emerged victorious in Spain’s Liga Endesa championship. The Vitoria-Gasteiz native has since been actively seeking a suitable opportunity to resume his career, which led him to Munich.