By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv management has decided to fire head coach Neven Spahija following the EuroLeague loss to Gran Canaria, according to ONE. Per the same report, the club is in advanced talks with former Olympiacos coach Giannis Sfairopoulos to replace Spahija at the helm.
The defeat to Gran Canaria was the sixth in seven EL games for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Although the Israeli team had to cope with various injuries of key players (Scottie Wilbekin, Tarik Black and Jeremy Pargo) and the schedule included games with title contenders Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow (the only undefeated teams in EuroLeague), Spahija seems to be at the exit door of the club.
Sfairopoulos is the favorite to take the head coach post and the most recent discussions have to do with the length of his contract. Maccabi insists that there will be a club option for an exit clause on summer 2019.
If the talks with Sfairopoulos don’t result in a deal, then Spanish coach Joan Plaza is also considered by the club.
UPDATE:
According to Eurohoops sources, a deal between Maccabi and Sfairopoulos is being finalized. The two sides are expected to sign a contract until 2020.