AS Monaco bring back Sasa Obradovic: 'There's a lack of team cohesion' / News - Basketnews.com

AS Monaco named Sasa Obradovic as their new head coach to replace Zvezdan Mitrovic, the French club officially confirmed the BasketNews report.

Free throws this season

71%13,4Points made:13,4Accuracy:71,1%Place in standings:6Record max:18Record min:5Most made FTs:Mike JamesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

This will be Obradovic's second stint with Monaco, which he coached in the 2019-20 season.

The 52-year-old coach returns to the EuroLeague after last year's experience with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade. After reaching five wins in 16 EuroLeague games, both sides parted ways in December.

Obradovic also gained EuroLeague experience coaching ALBA Berlin (2012-13 and 2014-15) and RheinEnergie Cologne (2006-07). Previously Obradovic also worked in Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, Donetsk, Turow Zgorzelec and Kyiv.

Four-time German Cup winner, also Russian and Ukrainian Cup winner, German and Ukrainian league champion, was the Eurocup Coach of the Year in 2018.

AS Monaco are ranked 14th in the EuroLeague standings with a 5-9 record and 2nd in the French championship (8-3).

"The club is growing and had very good results last season. Monaco has invested a lot and has a great future ahead of them. This is a great opportunity for a coach," Obradovic explained in an interview with the club.

"Coaching in the Euroleague was a priority for me. I always have that in mind, and that's what I ideally want every year. It is simply the best competition in Europe, with crazy intensity and incredible matches," he added.

The new bench boss of the EuroLeague newcomers also addressed the team's problems:

"There is a lack of team cohesion, and that will be my challenge. To make sure that we become a team, and to build confidence that brings nice osmosis on the court. Our players have not yet reached their maximum potential," he noted.

Sasa Obradovic revealed that he will have a meeting with the players tomorrow.

"It's going to be difficult to get everything sorted out in one training session, but I'm optimistic," he said.

Finally, asked about his predecessor, Zvezdan Mitrovic, the Serbian tactician was full of praise.

"Zvezdan and I are friends, we have known each other for a long time. I am very sorry to hear this news, he deserved his position and to coach in the EuroLeague after a very good last season.

He is a very good coach, but sometimes things don't go the right way, for various reasons. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach, and even more so for the person he is. He will always be my friend," Obradovic concluded.

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