By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Turkish club Manisa dismissed head coach Ertug Tuzcukaya.
The decision was announced on Friday.
His last game was a losing effort opposite Peristeri Domino’s in Gameday 4 of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season on Wednesday.
His side fell to 3-1 and in a tie with UCAM Murcia in first place of Group H. With two team showings remaining in the schedule, Manisa holds a two-game advantage over FMP Soccerbet and Peristeri, thus in a commanding position for at least a berth in the Play-Ins through the second or third seed. The top seed will progress directly to the Round of 16.
The first journey in the top-tier club continental competition of FIBA Europe, following a run to the Round of 16 of the 2023-24 installment of FIBA Europe Cup, contrasts a 0-5 start in the Turkiye Basketbol Super Ligi Regular Season. Resuming the domestic schedule, welcoming Fenerbahce Beko in Muradiye Spor Salonu is the next team task on Sunday.
From the top of the season, the 43-year-old Turkish specialist faced multiple roster challenges. After brilliant performances, Saben Lee and Javon Freeman-Liberty left the team in October to join Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the Windy City Bulls in the G League. Ensuing moves landed Troy Brown Jr. and Chris Chiozza in Manisa.
Tuzcukaya worked with junior teams of Fenerbahce over the previous four years, before taking over the club based in western Turkiye to start the 2024-25 campaign.
Photo Credit: FIBA