Zvezda's president bashes Lessort, claims he ruined Alimpijevic's tenure / News - Basketnews.com

Covic said Crvena Zvezda would've hired Dusan Alimpijevic instead of Ioannis Sfairopoulos if he had been available. The president said Mathias Lessort caused Alimpijevic's departure from the club in 2018.

Credit: Sonia Canada/GettyImages, Paulius Peleckis/BNS Credit Sonia Canada/GettyImages, Paulius Peleckis/BNS

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade' president, Nebojsa Covic, shared some controversial comments after a very difficult win against SC Derby in the ABA League.

2-pointers this season

55%20,0Points made:20,0Accuracy:54,9%Place in standings:9Record max:26Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Luka MitrovicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Although it was largely believed that the EuroLeague season would be a success, Crvena Zvezda ultimately finished the year in 16th place. Additionally, the club suffered its largest defeat in EuroLeague history during the last round against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, losing by 45 points.

On Monday, Crvena Zvezda barely won against SC Derby, trailing by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. At one point during the game, some of the fans chanted the club's management to step away.

"Home advantage is very important to us. Now we have it, and we need to defend it. It cannot defend itself. Everyone should fulfill their tasks and obligations. That's what I resented tonight. Maybe there was a shock about the match in Istanbul. You had an environment where part of the public declared it to be in the national interest of Serbian basketball, and a large part thought that it didn't have to, that Zvezda should lose. That score of 45 points left a certain mark," Covic said on the 'O Obrucu' show on Arena Sport TV.

"Tonight, a group shouted, 'Management out.' No problem. Whoever thinks he can do better, come. I overcame that with my son when the slogans 'Dad, buy me a club' were chanted. I don't think I'm the best. Whoever can do better, feel free," he said.

Early in the season, the club replaced head coach Dusko Ivanovic and hired Ioannis Sfairopoulos instead. Although the change was somewhat successful in terms of winning percentage, the club ultimately did not achieve its goals in the EuroLeague.

Mathias Lessort

MIN:28.84PTS:13.62 (63.79%)REB:6.03As:1.26ST:1.09BL:0.85TO:1.88GM:34ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Covic said Sfairopoulos would not have been his first choice if the current Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul head coach, Dusan Alimpijevic, who coached Crvena Zvezda six seasons ago, was available.

While talking about Alimpijevic, Covic also bashed former Crvena Zvezda center, who made his name with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and now plays for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Mathias Lessort.

Although he had a largely successful season with Crvena Zvezda, Lessort's tenure at the club is probably mostly remembered for his missed shot during Game 3 of the ABA League final against Buducnost Podgorica that would've otherwise given a chance for the red-and-whites to win the title.

"If Dusan Alimpijevic was free, we would have brought him. But you are aware of the injustice that he went through, thanks to the unreasonable moves of Mathias Lessor, a former player of ours who is now a devout hater of Zvezda, which I am sorry for. That changed the career of a very promising coach," Covic said.

"He had to leave. There were whistles, attacks, name-calling, and he proceeded to have an extraordinary career. He belongs to a group of a few promising coaches. There aren't many of them on whom our basketball can count. We had no choice. Ioannis is doing his job correctly. I have some reservations about foreign coaches. Are we successful? Don't forget we have a trophy, some have none this season," he concluded.

Alimpijevic coached Crvena Zvezda during the 2017-18 season. The coach wanted to resign during the year, but Covic initially denied his request. Alimpijevic ultimately left the club after the year even though he had a three-year deal at the time.

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