By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Casademont Zaragoza has parted ways with head coach Joan Plaza following a three-month tenure. The decision was announced by club management on Sunday, marking the end of the Catalan strategist’s short stint on the bench.
The move follows a damaging defeat against BAXI Manresa at the Pavello Nou Congost during Round 32 of Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season. Saturday’s loss left Zaragoza with a troubling 9–22 ACB tally, sitting just ahead of MoraBanc Andorra as they fight to avoid the relegation zone.
With only three games remaining in the domestic season, assistant coach Gonzalo Garcia de Vitoria has been promoted to take immediate charge of the senior squad. The 55-year-old tactician will be supported by assistants Rodrigo San Miguel and Jorge Serna. Down the stretch, they face a demanding schedule to secure top-flight safety, with their side set for back-to-back home games against UCAM Murcia and Valencia at the Principe Felipe Pavilion, before going on the road to visit Rio Breogan in a crucial final matchup.
ℹ Joan Plaza y Casademont Zaragoza separan sus caminos
El equipo queda bajo la dirección de Gonzalo García de Vitoria (@Gonzalo_GV).
Mañana a las 11.00h, el secretario técnico, Pedro Llompart, y Gonzalo comparecerán ante los medios de comunicación.
— Casademont Zaragoza (@casademontBZ) May 17, 2026
Plaza was originally hired in February to stabilize the team shortly after their elimination from the FIBA Europe Cup. However, the veteran coach struggled to generate momentum during a period of maximum competitive demand. He managed a record of just three wins and nine losses across twelve domestic league games. The experienced trainer brought nearly two decades of elite European basketball experience to his resume, having previously managed powerhouse programs such as Real Madrid, Zalgiris, Unicaja, Zenit, and AEK.