Greek coach Vassilis Spanoulis has submitted his resignation from AS Monaco Basket. Arriving on the Rock at the end of 2024, the coach will no longer lead the Roca Team. The club must officially announce his departure during the day in a context of persistent financial crisis.
The separation between AS Monaco Basket and Vassilis Spanoulis is now confirmed. The Greek coach decided to leave the Monegasque club after several weeks of internal tensions and financial difficulties. An agreement was reached between the two parties to allow the coach to become available, while his contract ran until the end of the season.
Since Friday, Vassilis Spanoulis and his assistant Ilias Kantzouris were officially “withdrawn” from their duties. Several explanations circulated around this absence (illness, resignation…).
During this period, the team was led by Sergii Gladyr. The former Roca Team player, who became assistant coach after his retirement in 2015, managed the interim on the Monegasque bench. Two matches were played under his direction in Betclic Elite and in the French Cup with two victories.
The first victory was obtained against Cholet in the championship (89-79). The second was secured this Tuesday evening on the Nanterre court (88-83). This success allowed Monaco to obtain a qualification for the French Cup final, despite several absences and injuries in the squad.
Sergii Gladyr’s mission should continue over the coming days. As a reminder, the Roca Team’s schedule is packed this weekend with receptions of Olympiacos in Euroleague on Thursday, a club where Vassilis Spanoulis could rebound, then Nancy in the championship.
An economic context weighing on the club
The departure of the Greek coach comes during a difficult period for AS Monaco Basket. Financial difficulties have been mentioned for several weeks around the Principality club.
The deficit would reach between 10 and 15 million euros. Several players have reportedly not been paid for two months or more. The situation took on a public dimension when Mike James, American point guard for the Roca Team, mentioned unpaid wages and governance problems.
The crisis is no longer limited to an internal matter. The institutional functioning of the club is also being questioned. Sports and financial tensions have accumulated over the months.
Facing the urgency, the National Basketball League had considered an exceptional advance of 500,000 euros to ensure the continuity of the championship and to temporarily relieve the Monegasque players.
In this context, Vassilis Spanoulis saw his squad shrink instead of strengthen. Several players find themselves in uncertainty about their future. The club’s European ambitions have become difficult to maintain.
The Greek coach had committed to the Rock with a clear objective: to try to win the Euroleague. Recent results made this objective increasingly difficult to achieve.
The Roca Team has lost seven of its last eight matches in European competition. Monaco now occupies ninth place with 16 wins and 14 losses. Finalists in the previous edition, the club finds itself struggling in the race for the play-offs.
A season marked by tensions
Recent weeks have also been marked by tensions on the court. An altercation between Elie Okobo and Mike James occurred on the Fenerbahçe court during a Euroleague match last week. Several sources consider this episode as a key moment in the Greek coach’s decision.
The victory against Nanterre and qualification for the French Cup final did not change the situation. The departure of Vassilis Spanoulis was still being considered.
On February 22, after the victory in Leaders Cup, the Greek coach had stated: “Life has taught me that I will be the last to jump off the boat if it sinks.” A few weeks later, the club’s situation led to a different outcome.
The season will nevertheless be remembered for two trophies won by the Roca Team under his direction, the Super Cup and the Leaders Cup.
A possible destination to Piraeus
The future of Vassilis Spanoulis could now be written in Greece as explained above. The former point guard is tipped to one day take over from Geórgios Bartzókas on the Olympiacos bench.
The schedule offers a particular coincidence. Monaco must host Olympiacos on Thursday in Euroleague. Vassilis Spanoulis should not be present.
The Piraeus club occupies a special place in the career of the Greek coach. Vassilis Spanoulis built much of his reputation as a player there with three Euroleague titles won at the club.
The Monegasque chapter closes therefore after just over a year on the Rock. The Roca Team must now manage the end of the season in a fragile sporting and financial context, with Sergii Gladyr in charge.
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