By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos is finalizing a two-year deal with David Blatt to be hired as team’s new head coach.
The Reds had been searching for their new head coach since it was decided that the team will proceed without Giannis Sfairopoulos, shortly following Game 5 of the Greek League Finals, and the completion of an unsuccessful season for the club that failed to reach its goals in both EuroLeague and Greek League. Blatt was among the primary targets for the Olympiacos that was in the market for a coach highly experienced at the top level of European basketball, plus a manager with a strong personality.
Olympiacos expressed its interest in acquiring Blatt by extending a two-year offer sheet to the Israeli-American coach, two days ago (22/6). The proposal included terms very close to Blatt’s initial demands and a definite deal between the two sides is expected to come into fruition soon when some contract details are resolved.
Blatt, 59, last coached Turkish club Darussafaka Istanbul. This past season, he propelled the team towards winning the EuroCup title, an accomplishment which marked the first time Dacka won a continental trophy in the history of the club.
By adding the EuroCup title in his trophy case, Blatt became the only coach to win the EuroBasket (in 2007 with Russia), EuroLeague (in 2014 with Maccabi Tel Aviv), EuroCup, plus an Olympic medal (the bronze in 2012 with Russia), after Serbian legend Dusan Ivkovic.
In 2016-2017, Darussafaka reached the EuroLeague playoffs with Blatt at the helm. That was also a first-time achievement for the Turkish side.
UPDATE: Per Olympiacos, no agreement with Blatt has been reached yet.