By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
Pablo Laso stands out on the Anadolu Efes shortlist of candidates to take over head-coaching duties following the recent departure of Igor Kokoskov, and is the top choice in the ongoing search, as confirmed by Eurohoops sources.
The Turkish club and the two-time EuroLeague champion are in advanced talks, but for now, there is no agreement.
Laso, 58, previously served as head coach of Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, and Baskonia in the top-tier club continental competition of Europe. His lengthy and successful run with Los Blancos between 2011 and 2022 included two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championships in 2015 and 2018. His next jobs were limited to only one season each, with Bayern through the 2023-24 campaign and Baskonia through the 2024-25 campaign.
If the team based in Istanbul fails to reach a deal with the Vitoria-Gasteiz native, other highlighted names on their list will be considered.
On November 27, Kokoskov was fired by the EuroLeague participant, a few months after hiring him as the new head coach in July. Meanwhile, 52-year-old Rado Trifunovic was named interim head coach.
Behind an inadequate start to the 2025-26 Regular Season with the 53-year-old Serbian tactician in charge, the Istanbul outfit currently sits 5-9, three games away from the Play-In Showdown zone. At the domestic level, four straight losses reduced the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi tally to 6-4.
This week’s schedule features continental and domestic away fixtures, from Valencia in Roig Arena on Thursday to Fenerbahce Beko in Ulker Sports Arena on Sunday.