By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
The transition into a new team in the middle of a competitive season is one of the most daunting tasks a coach can face. When Gianmarco Pozzecco arrived at Galatasaray MCT Technic, he carried a heavy weight of concern. “Whenever you start to work with a team in the middle of the season, it is not so easy,” he admitted in an exclusive interview with Eurohoops. Despite having watched countless tapes, Pozzecco purposefully avoided forming a clear idea of the players before meeting them. He wanted to judge them directly, not through the lens of a screen, but through the sweat of the practice court.
His initial worries, however, vanished almost instantly. During his first practices and the subsequent clash against Besiktas Gain, the roster showed him something intangible. “The guys showed me something that I didn’t expect, just because they had something inside that I cannot even describe.” It wasn’t just talent, but a communal ‘fighting spirit’ that transcended technical drills.
On the verge of advancing to the Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, Quarterfinals, the Lions currently hold a strong 4–1 record in Round of 16 Group I. They have one remaining game in this stage, facing Rytas next Wednesday at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul. Domestically, the team sits seventh in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi standings with a 12–9 record and nine games left in the Regular Season.
Chemistry Beyond the X’s and O’s
What Pozzecco discovered was a group of unselfish individuals who had built genuine human relationships. He speaks with genuine affection about the atmosphere during travel, the laughter on buses and planes. For the 53-year-old tactician, this isn’t a distraction, but the foundation of success. He believes that to be a professional, one must also be smart enough to enjoy life outside the court so that when they step onto the hardwood, they can be immediately professional.
This duality, being funny and relaxed one moment and intensely serious the next, is the hallmark of the mentality Pozzecco prizes. He notes that the team’s defensive intensity has increased not just because of tactical changes, but because of a mutual respect that has grown between the coaching staff and the players. “Now I have a huge respect for them,” he says, shifting from a skeptical newcomer to a fierce protector of his locker room.
The Explosive Sideline Persona
Pozzecco’s sideline energy is legendary and polarising. He is often seen leaping, shouting, and embracing his players or arguing fervently with officials. Interestingly, Pozzecco reveals that he is his own harshest critic when it comes to these displays. “Whenever I watch me, I rewatch me,” he said. “I don’t like myself. I’m too much involved sometimes.”
Yet, he clarifies that this isn’t a performance or a calculated tactic. It is a byproduct of his history as a player. “I live emotion as a basketball player. I know how much they suffer on the court.” When he sees his players facing frustration or a perceived lack of respect from referees, he ‘goes crazy’ not out of ego, but out of a visceral need to shield them. This was notably evident during the Fenerbahce Beko game, where his reactions were driven by a singular goal: “Just to protect my players.”
The Rising Stature of Turkish Basketball
A significant portion of the conversation touches on the quality of basketball in Turkiye. Pozzecco offers high praise for the Turkish referees, noting that while he initially had doubts, he now considers their level amazing. He goes as far as to compare the Turkish League to his native Italy.
“There was a big gap between Italy and Turkiye. Now there is a huge difference also, but in the opposite way. You are above us.” He boldly labels Turkiye as arguably the best country for basketball outside of the NBA, citing the growth of the league and the passion of the fans.
Managing the Galatasaray Weight
Coaching a club like Galatasaray brings the pressure of 30 million fans. Pozzecco acknowledges this weight but views it through a specific lens. He doesn’t fight for himself or his own reputation, but to put his players in the ‘best position to be protagonists’.
Despite the fans’ love for his animated style, Pozzecco remains humble, almost shy about his celebrity. He speaks of his quiet life in Formentera, a small island where he is ‘just one of them’, far from the VIP culture of major cities. “I don’t do anything to show up or show myself,” he insists. “If I could put on a mask and go on the bench, I would be much happier.”
A Philosophy of Protection
The identity revealed is about a man who operates on empathy. His coaching isn’t just about diagrams and defensive rotations, but about emotional synchronicity. Whether he is praising the unselfish nature of his squad or defending them against a controversial whistle, his focus is always on the well-being and emotions of his athletes. As Galatasaray continues the 2025-26 journey, they do so with a coach who is willing to ‘do everything’ to ensure his players are loved by the fans and respected on the court.