By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The ongoing saga of the new Barcelona coach – who was going to be Jasikevicius but the rules of the Spanish coaches association about his experience prevented the deal from being official – took an other turn today.
As Eurohoops can confirm Barcelona and Lokomotiv are in talks for a possible buy out of coach Giorgos Bartzokas’ contract. Bartzokas has already met with Barcelona, previously he had decided to stay in Lokomotiv but things may have changed.
Still the negotiations between the two clubs are not easy, considering the fact that Bartzokas has a contract with Lokomotiv for next season, which does not include a buy out clause. Lokomotiv was asking previously for a one million euros buy out and was open in the idea of letting Bartzokas go, considering the fact that the Russian club will not be part of Euroleague next season and the Greek coach wanted to continue his career in the highest European level.
The talks with Bartzokas can also explain the sudden interest of Barcelona towards Anthony Randolph, a key player of Lokomotiv during the season that just ended. In any case, there might be a resolution of the whole situation soon, but the point is that Bartzokas is still a candidate to be the head coach of Barca.