By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following Xavi Pascual’s impending departure to Dubai, FC Barcelona enters the race for Zeljko Obradovic, according to L’ Esportiu. The nine-time Euroleague champion is expected to decide his future shortly.
The EuroLeague landscape faces a seismic shift as Barca aggressively pursues a legendary strategist, per Tuesday’s report, to spearhead their upcoming 2026-27 continental campaign, placing the Serbian tactician at the very top of their wishlist.
The unexpected pursuit comes as the club navigates a broader institutional restructuring spearheaded by president Joan Laporta. Securing a figure of such immense stature would instantly restore sporting credibility and competitive gravity to a project currently filled with institutional uncertainty.
Obradovic represents the absolute pinnacle of European basketball coaching, boasting an unprecedented legacy that spans over three decades of continental dominance. The Cacak native has captured a record nine titles in the top-tier club competition across five different clubs, championship dynasties with Partizan Belgrade, Joventut Badalona, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, and Fenerbahce.
After stepping down from his emotional second stint at Partizan last November, the highly decorated tactician chose to evaluate his options until the conclusion of the Euroleague Final Four. Now facing intense interest from several elite clubs, he is poised to announce whether he will accept the immense challenge of reviving Barcelona’s European aspirations.
Meanwhile, 53-year-old Pascual is set to trigger a buyout clause in his contract to accept an lucrative offer from fellow EuroLeague participant, Dubai. While the Catalonia giant had previously been linked with Unicaja’s Ibon Navarro and former AS Monaco boss Vassilis Spanoulis, the sudden focus on Obradovic has fundamentally altered their strategy.
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