By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After leading Real Madrid to the ACB championship behind a three-game sweep of Valencia in the championship series of the 2024-25 edition of Spain’s Liga Endesa, head coach Chus Mateo went on to dedicate the title to Serge Ibaka and Xavier Rathan-Mayes for helping his team despite lacking game action.
“We fought until the end, and we managed to win three games in a row against a team that is very difficult to beat. I’m delighted for the boys because we’ve been knocked down a lot of times, and being at Real Madrid is not easy because everyone wants to beat you, and when you don’t win, it feels like you haven’t done your job. I’m pleased for the lads. They fought hard,” he described the team effort to complete a back-to-back in the ACB.
“Some players have been less visible in the daily work, like Ibaka or Rathan-Mayes, who have played less, but they have done an extraordinary job. It’s not easy to be off the court, probably unfairly, because the coach doesn’t give them that opportunity. I want to dedicate it to them,” added the 56-year-old tactician following the game on Wednesday.
Launching preparations for the 2025-26 season, including the next installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Los Blancos will consider their options for the head-coaching position during the offseason.
“I’m not contemplating another option other than staying here. It will depend on whether Real Madrid wants me to,” stressed Mateo, “I’m delighted to be at the best club in the world, and I’ve always said so. It’s been my club since I was a kid, where I started when I was 21, and I’m pleased to be able to give back to this club everything it has given me. In the three years I’ve been here, we’ve won six trophies, and every season we’ve won one of the big prizes. I’m really pleased with what we’re doing. It’s down to them. If they want me to stay, I’ll stay.”