By Alex Madrid/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the introductory press conference of the Head Coaches Board, Eurohoops, among the media invited to the event, chatted with Xavi Pascual. The discussion began from the Association’s goals in the near future, its members, its origin and went on to the 46-year-old Spaniard’s coaching career, Juan Carlos Navarro, Pablo Laso, FC Barcelona Lassa and many more fields of conversation.
Here is Pascual’s interview to Eurohoops:
When did the idea of creating the Association Head Coaches Board emerge? During the annual meeting?
“Everything started a little before. It started two years ago, maybe. We started talking about the project but we put it on the table last June during the coaches meeting. But it’s something that we were talking about. It was necessary to create an association of coaches like this”.
The players introducing their own association during the Final Four encourage you to take the step?
“I think it has coincided in time because the needs of the moment lead us to it, but I wouldn’t attribute it to that moment. I think that the trajectory from one and the other has been independent”.
I guess that one of the objectives of the Board is to control the sacking of the coaches. Protect your job in some way.
“The owners and the presidents are fully entitled to fire the coach they want and put whoever they want. With this organization what we are trying to do is to protect the future, what happens next. From the moment you are fired, be all in the same direction. See what the procedure is, protect that coach and see what his duties, obligations and rights are”.
Will you include something for the coaches retirement?
“As well. We want to open up on the social side, with coaches who have problems and get there. Of course, this is a long-term purpose of the organization but we want to achieve all of this”.
If a coach hasn’t been part of the EuroLeague, could he join the organization?
“Yes, the organization is open to anyone who coaches. The doors are open. Then, we should talk in the organization about the situation of each one. It has been created with 16 members, but the purpose is to open up and become big”
There are also EuroLeague coaches who are not in the association…
“It has been created on a voluntary basis. We talked to all the coaches and each one has made their decision for different reasons, which are very respectable. Nothing to object to”
What are you doing right now? What are your plans for the future?
“Well, I’m not training. It is true that January was a strange month for me. For almost 20 years I haven’t had January free. It has been something strange to me. Now much more stable, watching a lot of basketball, traveling, watching trainings of ‘mini-basket’… Trying to reset my head, find incentives, find motivations, reflect about basketball. What most of the coaches do when we are out of work”.
But I guess that your idea is to return to a bench as soon as possible.
“Not in a hasty way, but I do want to start a new project and coach”.
We saw you at the tribute to Navarro. You were his coach during his best years, what could you tell us about him?
“I felt very proud of living the jersey retirement ceremony. It was a very beautiful act, very well organized by Barcelona. It was extraordinary what he lived, how he lived it. It was tribute totally deserved to someone who has given us so much and who has taught us so much at all levels, personal and professional. And, of course, with the greatness of his numbers. Everything he has won, everything he has done. His figure is probably unrepeatable”.
That ceremony had an especially nice moment, the picture with Felipe Reyes. We also know that you have a very good relationship with Pablo Laso. How is the Madrid-Barça rivalry between you?
“We are professionals and we defend our colors with everything we have inside. In the floor, we give everything to win. Each one with his style, each one with his virtues and his defects. But there are people behind the professionals. And we are people in every way. I have a lot of rivalry with some coaches and at the same time, I have a very good personal relationship. One thing doesn’t have to be facing the other”.
Talking about Laso, what is your opinion about everything he is achieving?
“Pablo took Madrid at a difficult moment. He is a coach with many achievements and titles and everyone likes his basketball. He also coincided with a generation of players that fit perfectly in that style of basketball. I think he has been a perfect coach for some extraordinary players in a perfect moment of a club. It happens very few times but when it happens the club comes out much benefited. Pablo has shown his quality and you only have to take a look at his numbers.
What memories do you have from Greece? The country, its culture, its people…
“Extraordinary. The Greeks are people with an extraordinary heart, very hospitable. The two and a half years that I spent there have been fantastic and unforgettable. I have an incredible relationship with the fans, which I will always love and appreciate. Also with the club, with which I had a very good relationship since the first day. It has been a very beautiful stage in my life and unforgettable, without a doubt. I will always feel Athens a bit like my home”.
They understand basketball…
“Yes, basketball is also the most important sport and people are constantly talking about basketball, everyone has their opinion. The thing we say that everyone has a coach inside, here (in Spain) you don’t see it very clearly. There, in Greece, yes. Everyone has a coach inside (laughs)”.