By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid did not have any special plans for Pablo Laso’s first return on Thursday evening. Still an emotional evening for the experienced tactician, beyond the game between his former team and FC Bayern Munich.
“People applauding and recognizing you, that is important,” he commented on the two-minute standing ovation before the tipoff of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 14 contest.
“It was touching. This is the best tribute after all,” he added, “It was touching but to be honest I wanted it to be over as soon as possible so I could concentrate on the game”.
Laso, 56, was the head coach of Los Blancos from 2011 to 2022. The lengthy spell included two EuroLeague championships. Taking over Bayern and focusing on the project set by the German club, he returned to Europe’s premier club continental competition.
“Of course, I checked when we were going to play in Madrid,” he admitted on studying the schedule and searching the date of his return to WiZink Center, “December 14 was there.”
“I had never doubt about the fans of Madrid,” he said, “I knew they would welcome me back because they have always treated me the best way possible.”
“The best thing that Pablo can take today is the affection of the fans, of Real Madrid, of his former players, of his former coaching staff,” added Chus Mateo, head coach of Madrid and former assistant under Laso.
“Friendship does not matter in these cases. Many of them played quite well,” Laso commented on the lasting relationship with his former players versus the loss sending his side to 6-8 in the Regular Season.
Besides players and coaches, Laso also reunited with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, he confirmed during the postgame press conference.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net