By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow President Andrey Vatutin spoke to RIA Novosti Sport on the one-year anniversary of CSKA‘s latest EuroLeague title, reflecting on the club’s decision to keep coach Dimitris Itoudis in the team, despite many fans asking “for blood” after the 2018 semifinal against Real Madrid.
“Maybe I already remember something inaccurately, but I don’t think that I cried after the victory in Vitoria a year ago. Rather, Itoudis cried, I was overwhelmed with joy. I was very glad that we won, and I was very happy personally for Itoudis. If you return to 2018, after the defeat from Real Madrid in the semifinals, the team faced such pressure that it was not easy to withstand. Many then demanded blood, demanded the resignation of Itoudis. It was not easy for us”, said Vatutin.
“As a result, life showed that we made the right choice without changing anything. We saved Dimitris, saved key players and won. It was nice to see that our chosen strategy worked. It was the best team in my life. I really hope that there will be teams that will become no less dear to me,” added CSKA’s President.