Sekulic arrives at Barça as the first Slovenian coach

FC Barcelona has reached an agreement with Aleksander Sekulic for him to take over as the team's head coach. The 48-year-old Slovenian coach was appointed as the new Barça coach on Wednesday after negotiations between both parties were finalized. Sekulic will sign a contract running until June 30, 2028, and will be officially presented in the coming days, officially sealing his connection with the club.

This appointment marks a historic milestone for the Barcelona organization as Sekulic becomes the first Slovenian coach to lead Barça. His arrival is part of a sporting project aimed at revamping the team after the conclusion of the previous season.

An Experienced International Coach

Sekulic has an extensive coaching background in European basketball. His journey began at various clubs in Slovenia, where he gained experience both as an assistant coach and as a head coach. His foundation in his home country allowed him to establish a solid base of tactical knowledge and team management.

In the 2021/22 season, Sekulic took charge of ERA Nymburk, a Czech team that he led to win the league title. This achievement marked a turning point in his career, showcasing his ability to compete in high-level European leagues and achieve ambitious goals in short periods of time.

Subsequently, in 2022, the Slovenian coach moved to Russia to coach Lokomotiv Kuban, where he stayed for two consecutive seasons (2022-24). This experience allowed him to familiarize himself with elite basketball in the Eastern European region and solidify his reputation as a competent coach.

Recent Success in Dubai and the EuroLeague

Before joining Barça, Sekulic coached Zenit Saint Petersburg in the 2025/26 season. However, his most recent and significant stint was with Dubai BC, where he joined in the final months of the previous campaign. With the Emirati team, Sekulic made his debut in the EuroLeague in the last game of the regular season, facing Valencia Basket.

His time in Dubai culminated in a historic achievement for the Emirati club: Sekulic led the team to win the ABA League title for the first time in its history. This title was sealed by defeating Partizan Belgrade in the fourth game of the final, highlighting the Slovenian coach's ability to manage teams in crucial moments and top-level competitions.

Slovenia's National Team Coach and the Olympics

Beyond his club career, Sekulic has been the head coach of Slovenia's national team since 2020, a responsibility he will continue alongside his new role at Barça. His work with the national team has made a significant impact on Slovenian basketball.

Under his leadership, the Slovenian national team qualified for the Tokyo Olympics for the first time in the country's history. At the Olympic event, the team reached the semifinals and finished in a commendable fourth place in the summer of 2021, a result that positioned Slovenia as an emerging basketball power on the international stage.

Furthermore, Sekulic was an assistant coach for the national team in 2017 when Slovenia won the EuroBasket championship. This background illustrates his historical connection to the most significant successes of Slovenian basketball in the last decade.

Official Presentation and Future Steps

FC Barcelona has announced that Aleksander Sekulic will be officially presented in the coming days when he will proceed with the formal signing of his contract. This presentation will mark the official start of his tenure leading the Barcelona team and will reveal his plans for the upcoming season.

Sekulic's arrival signifies a commitment to international experience and recent success demonstrated in high-level competitions. His experience in various European leagues, achievements with national teams, and capacity to secure titles in short periods position the Slovenian coach as a solid choice to lead Barça's sporting project in the coming years, under a contract extending until 2028.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sekulic llega al Barça como primer técnico esloveno