Grimau confesses his altercation with Willy: "He disrespected me"

Former FC Barcelona coach, Roger Grimau, would sign with the first team in June 2023 as a "low-cost" solution following the dismissal of Sarunas Jasikevicius. His coaching experience in LEB ORO and LEB PLATA (now First FEB and Second FEB) since 2018, along with a title in Liga EBA (now Third FEB), were enough to earn the club's trust and secure the position as coach of one of the top teams expected to win the Liga Endesa and the Euroliga.

Despite the addition of Ricky Rubio mid-season, the team failed to win any titles, losing in the Liga Endesa semifinals to Real Madrid and in the EuroLeague quarterfinals to Olympiacos.

Grimau's Relationship with Willy Hernangómez

Willy Hernángomez, who joined the team as a franchise player after the departure of Nikola Mirotic, was involved in several incidents described by Grimau as "very scandalous." The team dynamics took a turn on December 30, 2023, during halftime between Monaco and Barcelona in the EuroLeague, when Willy said to Grimau: "Stop talking nonsense... Your days are numbered." Grimau benched the center for the second half.

His dismissal came after a defeat in the Liga Endesa semifinals against Real Madrid. Juan Carlos Navarro and Mario Bruno Fernández, manager and sports director respectively, personally informed him of the news. "I had a feeling it was coming, we hadn't discussed the next year all week. They felt a change in direction was necessary," said Grimau in an interview for RAC1 and Catalunya Radio.

Several months after his dismissal, Roger Grimau reveals his thoughts on the season: "I believe I've been disrespected from day one, I was an easy target."

Despite the incidents and failing to achieve sporting goals, Grimau reflects on his debut in Liga Endesa and EuroLeague as a positive experience for the future.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Grimau confiesa su altercado con Willy: "Se me faltó al respeto"