By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Sergio Scariolo’s dismissal by Virtus Segafredo Bologna with one season left in his contract has stayed shy from a quiet process.
The latest development was generated by a reaction from Scariolo’s agent, Higinio Alonso. He emphatically denied contact between his client and Real Madrid via Spanish outlet AS.
“We can’t forget all the meetings he had with Toronto and Real Madrid, having a contract with Virtus Bologna,” noted Virtus Bologna owner and president Massimo Zanetti during the official presentation of new head coach Luca Banchi on Monday.
The comment was partially rejected by Alonso. The agent of the experienced Italian tactician denied any contact or meeting with Madrid during the 2022-23 season, adding legal action against Zanetti for false claims as a possible option. Switching to the Toronto Raptors portion of the comment, he stressed the team based in Bologna produced an official document permitting Scariolo to enter negotiations.
The candidacy of the former Raptors assistant fell short to Darko Rajakovic. The Serbian tactician was eventually named the tenth head coach in the history of the lone NBA franchise based in Canada.
Scariolo, 62, signed a three-year contract with the storied Italian club in 2021, succeeding Sasha Djordjevic. The Serbian play-caller was coming off winning Italy’s LBA UnipolSai. Under the guidance of Scariolo, winning the 2021-22 edition of the 7DAYS EuroCup earned a spot in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after 14 years. Capturing the Discovery Supercoppa in 2021 and the Frecciarossa Supercoppa in 2022 painted the picture on the domestic titles.