AEK announce Banchi departure

AEK BC have announced the departure of head coach, Luca Banchi, after the Athenians could only finish in third place of the 2018/2019 Basket League campaign.

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The 2018 Basketball Champions League winners announced the news with this following statement on their official website:

“Coach Luca Banchi will not continue working with us.

The AEK family wishes him every success in the next stage of his career.

Arrivederci amico.”

Banchi commented on the development:

“After meeting with Mr. Angelopoulos, the decision was taken not to prolong our partnership. I am leaving a family. I have absolute respect for the club, those who manage it, work for it and its large following. Yes, I am leaving, but AEK have gained another supporter. Until we meet again.”

Banchi joined AEK last summer. Initially, AEK performed well under his guidance, qualifying for the knockout stages of the Basketball Champions League, keeping pace in the Basket League and winning the FIBA Continental Cup in Brazil. However, things began to worsen after a European exit to Brose Bamberg in the quarter-finals, and AEK conceded a bitter loss to Promitheas in the Last Four of the Basket League. The Enosis did then defeat Peristeri in the third place playoff, but the damage was done and club owner, Makis Angelopoulos, decided not to extend the 53-year-old Italian’s contract.

Angelopoulos also shared his reaction to the decision:

“Our cooperation with Luca Banchi has reached its completion. This was not an easy process. He won an international trophy for us and, during the season, faced difficulties which we are not going to talk about now. A friend leaves us. He has his own unique position in the history of our club.”

Ilias Papatheodorou, the current head coach of PAOK BC, is the hot favourite to replace Banchi at the AEK helm.

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