Sfairopoulos talks Efes interest, reflects on past offers from Zalgiris and Nuggets / News - Basketnews.com

Ioannis Sfairopoulos is among the few candidates for the head coaching job at Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

Credit: BasketNews.lt/Dainius Lukšta Credit BasketNews.lt/Dainius Lukšta

Currently unemployed tactician Ioannis Sfairopoulos is being considered for the head coaching position at Anadolu Efes Istanbul to replace Ergin Ataman, the coach revealed in a conversation with Cosmote TV.

3-pointers this season

36%7,8Points made:7,8Accuracy:36,1%Place in standings:16Record max:16Record min:2Most made 3FGs:Rolands SmitsTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"There is interest from Anadolu Efes, and I am one of the few candidates for the position," Sfairopoulos disclosed.

The 56-year-old Greek specialist last coached for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv from 2018 to 2022. February 15 last year, Sfairopoulos was sacked from the head coaching position after a loss in the Israeli Cup semifinals, which led to public discontent.

Sfairopoulos mentioned that he was offered a position at Zalgiris Kaunas when he left his coaching role in Tel Aviv. However, he decided not to accept the bid, and Zalgiris ultimately hired Kazys Maksvytis instead.

"I received a Zalgiris offer when I left Maccabi. I didn't want to go there at the end of the season, and they chose Kazys Maksvytis," Sfairopoulos said.

The interview also shed light on a previous opportunity that came Sfairopoulos' way in 2015.

The Denver Nuggets had approached him with a coaching proposal, but due to his recent success with Olympiacos Piraeus, where he had won the Greek championship and reached the EuroLeague final, he decided to extend his contract with the Reds and declined the offer from the Nuggets.

"The timing wasn't good then," he underlined. "We then won the championship with Olympiacos and reached the final of the EuroLeague. After the extension with Olympiacos, I was offered by the Nuggets alongside Mike Malone."

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