By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv’s loss to Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv at Menora Mivtachim Arena on Sunday, general manager Claudio Coldebella met with reporters to address the fallout. The 58-year-old Italian executive took the blame for the team’s slide early in the 2026–27 season, backed head coach Oded Kattash, and confirmed that the front office is looking for backcourt help.
“I take full responsibility for what is happening, for this derby loss and for the next steps,” he said after Vasilije Micic scored 31 points against the Yellows. “I’m not pointing the finger at anyone. I’m putting my face in front. We are playing badly, but we have to stay together. That is the only way to get through this.”
Maccabi’s guard rotation has been thin, made worse by the absence of Gabriel Iffe Lundberg.
“We are short in the backcourt and I’m trying to do something,” he pointed out. “We are talking to players and I hope something can happen in the next few days, but patience is key. I’m not going to sign a player just to say I did something. It has to be the right player and someone who can make an impact.”
Beyond scanning the market for an additional option, he was equally clear about ruling out a coaching change.
“Oded is our coach,” he asserted. “In difficult moments, I feel even closer to the people who work with me. He has qualities as a coach, and we have seen that in previous years. My job is to help him. Firing him is not something realistic.”
Maccabi currently ranks 17th in the EuroLeague Regular Season at 2–7, while carrying a 2–2 record in Israel’s Winner League Regular Season.
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