Pedro Martínez defends his move to Real Madrid

Pedro Martínez has been involved in one of the most relevant movements in the EuroLeague by taking over the helm of Real Madrid after Sergio Scariolo's departure. In statements to the newspaper Las Provincias, the 65-year-old coach delved into the details of a decision that he describes as strictly professional and personal.

A significant signing in the EuroLeague

Real Madrid has completed a groundbreaking change in its technical structure with Martínez's arrival. As reported by Eurohoops, the Madrid club activated a one-million-euro buyout clause to secure the services of the Catalan, who has signed a three-year agreement with a net salary of 1.2 million euros annually. This move resulted in the early closure of Scariolo's tenure at the white entity.

Martínez himself acknowledges that when he renewed with Valencia last March, his expectations were different. "I thought it would be my last contract as a coach at the highest level," he confessed to the Levantine media. However, he added a reflection on his continuity: "I will continue coaching as long as I can and as long as I have good health, but professionally, it is different due to the demands it entails."

The reasons behind the decision

Martínez is aware of the impact his departure has had. In the conversation with Juan Carlos Villena, the coach acknowledges the magnitude of the move: "Yes, I understand. It's just that I can't control that either. I have the feeling that besides the element of surprise, the fact that I'm going to the team I am going to magnifies the impact of the news."

The Catalan coach points out that destiny has amplified the repercussions of his departure. "If I were leaving for another team, surely the impact wouldn't be the same. But I understand everything; it's clear that everyone can think what they want, and it's not something I can control," he says. He then provides a broader justification regarding his nature as a professional: "In the end, these are professional and personal decisions that obviously are not made with the intention of upsetting anyone but rather made trying to find the best for oneself without harming anyone."

The negotiation process and initial contacts

Martínez reveals how the move unfolded. According to his account, "two close people told me that two EuroLeague teams were interested in signing me." The process took place during the 2026 Liga Endesa Playoffs. These intermediaries "wanted to know if I was willing to do it and, given that they knew I had a valid contract, what the buyout clause was."

The coach was straightforward in identifying the involved teams: "One of the teams that showed interest was Real Madrid, and the other was a foreign club." However, Martínez emphasizes an important detail about the negotiation protocol: "I didn't talk to anyone from Real Madrid during the Playoffs, nor did anyone from the club contact me."

Loyalty to Valencia until the end

One aspect that Martínez emphasizes is his commitment to Valencia during his final stage. "At that moment, and I want to emphasize this, I was Valencia's coach until the last minute, and I gave everything for Valencia. Until the last minute," he states, specifically referring to his final interaction with the club's players at the end of the season.

This statement highlights the professionalism with which the Catalan coach handled the transition, prioritizing his contractual obligations with Valencia even as Real Madrid's interest became known. The interview with Las Provincias, published on Friday, provides Martínez's own direct perspective on a move that has generated significant anticipation in European basketball circles.

Martínez's appointment represents a significant turn for Real Madrid in the continental competition, solidifying their choice of an experienced coach who has been at the highest level of professional basketball for decades.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pedro Martínez defiende su salto al Real Madrid