By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna announces that it has decided the dismissal of coach Sergio Scariolo.
Per the official press release: “The coach’s statements released to the press on 13 September 2023, which follow those released during the end-of-season press conference on 27 June 2023, unfortunately, undermine the serenity and enthusiasm of the club environment and of the group that is preparing to face the first official commitments of the new sporting season with the aim of achieving important results both at a national and international level”.
The club also announced that first assistant Andrea Diana has been relieved of his duties.
Scariolo is practically accused by the club of undermining the ambitions of the team, by admitting publicly that this year’s roster is not as strong as last year’s which is an undeniable fact.
Virtus has lost some key members like Milos Teodosic and Semi Ojeleye without replacing them with big-name players and despite having a contract with Gabriel Iffe Lundberg, will not use him as they try to get rid of his contract.
Scariolo said among other things that “some young guys may help us with some “minutino” (ed.note: some minutes in Italian) on the court, and “minutino” isn’t Milutinov”, referring to Serbian center Nikola Milutinov who returned to Olympiacos and he was rumored to be among Virtus’ targets at the start of the summer.