Best-paid coach outside the EuroLeague? The curious case of Xavi Pascual / News - Basketnews.com

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Xavi Pascual could become the highest-paid head coach outside the EuroLeague.

2-pointers this season

53%19,5Points made:19,5Accuracy:53,1%Place in standings:8Record max:27Record min:9Most made 2FGs:Walter TavaresTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The 49-year-old Catalan emerged as one of the most wanted coaches this summer, but the current situation leads to his career continuation in Saint Petersburg.

As BasketNews sources suggest, Xavi remains undecided about his future. But at this particular point, there's a high possibility that he'll stay in Zenit for one more season.

First of all, Pascual is locked in Zenit due to his contract.

Last summer, the coach signed a three-year extension. According to BasketNews sources, it was a 2+1 agreement, and Pascual could opt out of the deal in the summer of 2023.

If Pascual wants to leave Zenit now, he has to pay a significant buyout, sources tell BasketNews.

On the other hand, there aren't many potential head-coaching vacancies at the moment.

Per BasketNews sources, Pascual is set to earn around €1.5M the following season. Mainly due to financial reasons, he was always a long-shot target for Maccabi Tel Aviv, sources tell BasketNews.

Although the Israeli powerhouse is still willing to wait for Pascual, there's one more market to follow.

As a few BasketNews sources suggested, there's a belief around Xavi's camp that if Real Madrid or FC Barcelona fails to win the Spanish league, neither of the head coaches should feel safe about their position. However, both Sarunas Jasikevicius and Pablo Laso are under contracts.

If Xavi remains in Saint Petersburg, he will have more options on the table and more flexibility to move next summer.

The 2023 coaching market is going to be thrilling since Jasikevicius (FC Barcelona), Laso (Real Madrid), Ergin Ataman (Anadolu Efes Istanbul), and Andrea Trinchieri (FC Bayern Munich) are all on expiring contracts.

But so far, it looks like the most wanted coach in the EuroLeague might be out of the major competition next year.

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