By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
While Rick Pitino publicly stated that he intends to return to Greece if the season is not canceled and sit again on the bench of Panathinaikos, according to Eurohoops sources, there’s no chance for this happening.
At this point, nobody knows what will be the outcome of the decision to suspend the season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the Greek Basketleague. However, with Pitino leaving Panathinaikos despite having a contract option for next season, the Greens want to turn the page.
George Vovoras, Pitino’s top assistant in Panathinaikos, will serve as the interim coach if the need arises, and Panathinaikos is already on the market for a new head coach for next season.
It remains to be seen what may happen with the Greek national team, in which Pitino is a volunteer coach and not getting paid for his position. Still, with the Olympic qualifiers and even the Olympic Games in question, Pitino may not need to coach the Greek national team this summer.