By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Shortly after the report on the decision for a coaching change midway through the 2018-19 season, Khimki made it official. Rimas Kurtinaitis returned to the Russian club he coached from 2011 until 2016 replacing Giorgos Bartzokas.
The Greek coach took over during the summer of 2017, when he signed a two-year contract, which was terminated on Monday. He recorded 52 wins in 95 games leading Khimki to the EuroLeague playoffs for the first time in the club’s history.
His successor first joined the Russian team in March of 2011 and was fired in March of 2016. During his five-year tenure, he won the VTB United League in 2011 and added a pair of EuroCup trophies to his tally with his 2012 and 2015 triumps.
Pavel Astakhov, GM, said: “First of all, we would like to thank Georgios Bartzokas for joint work. With him Khimki spent the most succuessful season in the EuroLeague and showed best result in club’s history, having reached the playoffs. We appreciate Bartzokas’ contribution in the development of our club. Unfortunately, team’s results do not meet the expectations of the management, sponsors and fans. We clearly understand that the problems within the team are not limited to the role and actions of the head coach. But in order not to let the situation out of control and breathe new life into the team, we made this tough decision. We are sure that Georgios Bartzokas will continue his successfull career. He will always remain as a part of Khimki big family”.
He added: “The decision to change the coach in the middle of the season is very difficult, especially with a tough schedule of two or three games per week. However, the situation in the team required changes. Rimas Kurtinaitis is the only experienced high-level specialist who does not need time to adapt in the team, as he knows the club from the inside. The brightest and victorious pages in the history of our club are connected with the name of Kurtinaitis. Over the past years, we have maintained constant friendly contact with him. We are confident that with the coming of Kurtinaitis we will be able to achieve the goals set for the club at the beginning of the season”.
Khimki is currently two wins away from EuroLeague’s playoffs zone with seven victories in its first nineteen 2018-19 Regular Season matches. It also has eleven wins in its first thirteen VTB 2018-19 Regular Season games.