By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Barring a plot twist, which is almost impossible at this point, Xavi Pascual’s time as head coach of FC Barcelona’s basketball team is nearing its end.
Just 24 hours after it was announced that the Catalan coach would be heading to Dubai at the end of his tenure with the club, Pascual personally conveyed his decision to the current club president, Rafa Yuste. As reported by Esport 3, the two sides held a meeting this Monday in which Xavi Pascual reaffirmed his decision to join Dubai BC this summer. According to Eurohoops sources, Xavi Pascual had already told Barça his decision to leave the blaugrana team, and today’s meeting changed nothing.
Following the victory in Tenerife, Pascual maintained his conservative approach and simply stated that they would “talk at the end of the season.” However, the news that his departure has already been announced to Barça has accelerated activity in the club’s offices, and names have already begun to surface as potential replacements for the Palau Blaugrana bench.
Among them is Vassilis Spanoulis, one of the great modern legends of European basketball and a historic icon of Olympiacos.
At 43, Spanoulis began his coaching career in 2022, shortly after retiring as a player. His first experience came with the Greek team Peristeri, where in his second season he was named Basketball Champions League Coach of the Year.
The Greek coach subsequently took over at AS Monaco Basket after the dismissal of Sasa Obradovic, while also managing the Greek national team. Under his leadership, the Greek team won the bronze medal at EuroBasket 2025.
With the team from the Principality, Spanoulis demonstrated the leadership he had displayed for years on the court. He led Monaco to a European runner-up finish and managed a locker room full of stars. However, the club’s financial and institutional problems precipitated his departure last March.