By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Barcelona announced today that Rodrigo de la Fuente is the new general manager of the club, taking the place of Joan Creus, however his debut on the job was yesterday, when he met the candidates for the coaching opening on the bench of the team.
De la Fuente – whose official title is technical secretary – had talks with Greek coaches Bartzokas and Katsikaris and also with Brose Basket’s Andrea Trinchieri who was in town for the annual Euroleague coaches meeting and Svetislav Pesic who is still the coach of Bayer Munich, despite the rumors about his wish to leave the German club. Katsikaris is the only coach without a club for the moment.
Of course, Sarunas Jasikevicius was also in Barcelona for the Euroleague coaches meeting, but due to the Spanish coaches association regulations, he is not eligible yet to be a head coach in Liga Endesa because he should have at least two seasons of experience as a head coach. So despite his deal with Barcelona, unless the club decides to bend the rule and have Jasikevicius on the bench without registering him as the head coach in the Spanish league games, Saras would have to wait.
Barcelona would like to have a new coach as soon as possible who will be not only the heir of Xavi Pascual’s era but also the heir of a very similar roster to the one Barcelona had this season. There are 10 players under contract and few additions will be made, plus Tomas Satoransky, the team’s starting point guard may end up in Washington for the Wizards.