By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The Spanish coaches association’s rules for coaches’s eligibility in Liga Endesa created an issue for Barcelona and despite the deal with Sarunas Jasikevicius, Saras may not sit on the bench of the club after all.
Jasikevicius has been a head coach only for five months and prevents him from coaching in Liga Endesa, because he had to be at least for two years of experience as a head coach. This problem was revealed today by Spanish media and can change everything. In a similar case two years ago, Sevilla couldn’t register American Scott Roth as its head coach. The club ended up registering during the league games Audie Norris as the head coach, however it’s questionable if such a solution can be used by one of the top teams of the league.
It’s still unclear how the situation will be resolved, however Greek coach Fotis Katsikaris traveled today from Athens to Barcelona in order to meet with the club. The news of his voyage were reported first by Sport24.gr, however it’s a fact that Katsikaris spend the day off of the Greek national team in Spain.
Τhe same happened with coach Giorgos Bartzokas who was also spotted today in Barcelona. Bartzokas is under contract with Lokomotiv Kuban, a few days ago the two sides confirmed to each other their commitment for next season, still nothing can be excluded at this point.
It remains to be seen how things will play out, if Barcelona will find a way to have Saras as its coach, or if in the end an other coach will be hired. The name of Italian Andrea Trinchieri is also mentioned as a potential target, but he also has a contract for next season with Brose Baskets.