Ergin Ataman shares Panathinaikos goals for next season / News - Basketnews.com

Ataman said that the new Panathinaikos team will be very strong and will have a goal of playing in the EuroLeague Final Four and winning the title. The coach revealed that the signings will begin to come in in 2-3 weeks.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

After winning two EuroLeague trophies and reclaiming the Turkish League (BSL) title, head coach Ergin Ataman is leaving Anadolu Efes Istanbul to lead Panathinaikos Athens.

Points this season

45%79,3Points made:79,3Accuracy:44,8%Place in standings:12Record max:98Record min:64Best scorer:Dwayne BaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

One day after finishing the season victoriously with the Turkish team, Ataman talked about his future with the Greek organization. In an interview with Turkish television A Spor, he shared the current situation in the club regarding the upcoming season.

"Currently, our club president and general manager are in contact with very important names. The transfer market for high-level names in Europe has not been fully opened yet, but it's a very serious change [from the current situation] and it's certain that it will be a team with a goal of the Final Four and a EuroLeague championship," Ataman shared.

"After all, it's not just what happens with a coach, it's not what a coach can do by himself. We are in agreement with the Panathinaikos administration on this issue. It will definitely be a very strong squad, but I cannot give any names right now," the coach said. "In 2-3 weeks, transfers will begin to form gradually."

Even though Ataman has previously said that he welcomes his tenure at Panathinaikos as a new challenge, he thinks that he's already accomplished everything there is to accomplish in club basketball.

"At the moment, there is nothing left [to accomplish] for me at the club level because I think I am the only coach in Europe who is a champion in all cups. I've won 4 different European cups, I'm one of 2-3 coaches who's won the EuroLeague twice in a row," he said. "That's why I think that I have achieved all kinds of success at the club level."

"This is not enough, of course. Past achievements in sports only go down in history, you always have to look ahead. Other than that, the one thing I haven't done so far is win a medal with the national team. I see this as the biggest shortcoming in my career right now. I hope I'll have the chance to do this in the upcoming period," Ataman concluded.

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