By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Seven years after being appointed as sports director of FC Bayern Munich, Daniele Baiesi is set to leave his position at the end of his contract following the 2023-24 season.
His departure is a personal decision, according to the Italian portal Eurodevotion.
Baiesi, 48, started his run in a leading role, including decisions on roster moves and day-to-day operations of Bayern, in 2017. During his tenure, the team returned to the elite of continental basketball and reached the Playoffs of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in 2021 and 2022. Hiring legendary tactician Pablo Laso and set to move in a new arena, SAP Garden, shape a promising future for the team based in Munich.
Before Bayern, the Italian executive had a similar role at fellow German side Brose Bamberg from 2014 to 2017. From 2009 to 2014, he worked as an international scout for the Detroit Pistons. From 2005 to 2007, he took over Italian club Pallacanestro Biella from team manager and chief scout to general manager and sports director.
The native of Bologna studied commercial management in his hometown and went into journalism before opting to switch to the front offices of basketball clubs.
At 13-17 in the ongoing Regular Season of the EuroLeague, Bayern is one game outside the Play-In zone with four outings remaining to complete the double-legged round-robin schedule.
A 19-4 record ranks second in Germany’s easy Credit BBL, trailing Niners Chemnitz by one game, with 11 fixtures left in the Regular Season.