With Scariolo on board, a new era for Virtus Bologna begins / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com – Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com – Scanpix

With the departure of coach Sasha Djordjevic, who didn't agree to a new contract, Virtus Bologna is set to enter a new era for their project after spending the past two years and a half with the Serbian coach.

Sergio Scariolo, the current head coach of the Spanish national team and now-former assistant coach of the Toronto Raptors, will be team's new head coach, bringing tons of experience and pedigree to the Bologna's side.

Despite missing the EuroCup final along with the spot in next year's EuroLeague competition, in the end, it was a very good season for Virtus Bologna, which was able to win the Italian league after 20 years by sweeping AX Armani Exchange Milan in the finals.

But tensions and shocking turnarounds of events were also present throughout the season and, in general, during the Aleksandar Djordjevic tenure in Bologna.

Back in December, in fact, after losing 4 straight home games and deciding against a home debut for the newly acquired star Marco Belinelli, who was dealing with some physical issues, in the anticipated game against Dinamo Sassari, Djordjevic was fired by Virtus Bologna.

What happened within the next 24 hours was absolutely crazy and unexpected.

Several players showed strong support for their coach on social media. Serbian point guard Stefan Markovic, who has a very strong relationship with Djordjevic, posted a story on his IG profile accusing management of the team of not knowing anything about basketball.

Many people close to the team thought that was also the end of Markovic's experience with Virtus. But after a meeting with CEO Luca Baraldi and GM Paolo Ronci, Djordjevic was “unfired” and kept his job. Even Markovic stayed with the team, he was only fined by the club for his post on IG.

Luca Baraldi said that after those 24 hours the relationship between the club and Djordjevic was “stronger than ever”. But that wasn't entirely true, of course.

The level of trust between the Serbian coach and the team management was at an all-time low and it wasn't the first time that issues were emerging. During the 2019-20 season, in fact, there was another “episode” that weakened the bond between the coach and the management.

In February 2020, Virtus was set to play in the Intercontinental Cup in Tenerife after winning the Basketball Champions League the season before. The team arrived on a commercial flight, while sponsors and “friends” of the club were put on a private charter. Djordjevic was very critical of such decision, making it known during the press conference before the game: “For the team and the staff playing a game two days ago and arriving here on a commercial flight, while others arrived on a charter, it's not easy to be well prepared for the game”.

Credit ZUMAPRESS.com – ScanpixAs you can see, the decision to not extend the contract of Sasha Djordjevic didn't come as a surprise. Despite the titles (one Basketball Champions League and one Italian league), the relationship wasn't fixable. Now the ambitions of Virtus Bologna will rely on coach Sergio Scariolo. The current head coach of Spanish NT has signed a three-year deal with the club, a source told Basketnews. He will return to coaching a team in Europe after eight years since his last experience with Baskonia.

"I have a will and I look ahead. We have to consolidate ourselves at the top of Italian and European basketball. I am here to help the team and the club to succeed", said Scariolo in his introductory press conference.

In fact, this won't be the first time for Sergio Scariolo in Virtus Bologna. During the summer of 2003, Virtus had decided to hire Scariolo as their new head coach, but everything fell through after the team was hit by the arbitration award requested by Sani Becirovic.

For those who don't remember what happened at that time, here's a quick recap: Becirovic underwent knee surgery in January of 2002 and in the summer of the same year was diagnosed with an important knee condition. In September of the same year, the Slovenian point guard underwent another knee surgery. His agent opened an arbitration award after Virtus failed to pay several months of his salary. According to Virtus, though, Becirovic was no longer a player for the team. In March 2003, Becirovic won the arbitration award and Virtus was sentenced to pay his salary. After several deadlines passed, FIP (Italian Basketball Federation) took away the affiliation from the club, and Virtus was basically excluded from the Italian basketball.

The main goal for this new version of Virtus Bologna will be, of course, to reach the EuroLeague, after failing to do so this season. And team's new head coach understands that better than anyone else. "The important thing is that everyone gives 100%. The team has to grow, without emotional imbalances or tragedies if we lose a game, or believe we're the world champions if we win two in a row," stressed newly signed head coach.

Credit SIPA – ScanpixAmong the players without a contract for next season, Josh Adams, Stefan Markovic, and Julian Gamble are all expected to leave the team, a source told Basketnews. Giampaolo Ricci, captain of the team, who was very important this season, is also without a deal for next year but the club would love to keep him. Negotiations are ongoing but a deal hasn't been reached so far, according to a source.

Milos Teodosic, star of the team, has another year left on his contract, which includes the EuroLeague escape clause, though a pretty expensive one (around €400.000, according to a source). As of right now, Teodosic seems willing to stay and on board with club's plan, but, of course, things can change.

In a recent interview with Mozzartsport, Teodosic said that he hasn't thought about his future yet but he stressed how Djordjevic was a key factor in his decision to join Virtus Bologna and that he was disappointed by the decision of the club to let him go after winning the Italian league.

It's no secret that Virtus would love to bring back to Italy Nicolo Melli, who'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer after his brief experience with the Dallas Mavericks.

The level of the rivalry with AX Armani Exchange Milan, already pretty high during the past few seasons, might become even higher this summer, with Virtus also interested in a potential return of Kevin Punter, who just played an amazing season with Milan. The American guard, on an expiring deal, is looking for a new big contract and Milan doesn't seem too willing to join a bidding war. With Baskonia, Anadolu Efes, and Lokomotiv Kuban already following the case, Punter might become too expensive for Milan, sources say Basketnews, and Virtus could try to swoop in.

A new era for Virtus Bologna with Sergio Scariolo at the helm is about to begin and the black & white side of Bologna can't wait to return to the old splendors. The next edition of the Italian Serie A is expected to be one of the most fun of the last few years. Hopefully, the fans will be able to witness and enjoy in the arenas one of the most important rivalries of the Italian basketball back at its full peak.

The vaccination campaign is progressing well but, so far, the government hasn't made any promise for the re-opening of stadiums in time for the beginning of next season. Time will tell, as always, but Virtus Bologna looks ready to permanentlyre-join the elite of European basketball.

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