Baskonia justifies the departure of Galbiati and Howard

The presentation of Velimir Perasovic as the new coach of Kosner Baskonia served as a backdrop for the club in Vitoria to clarify the reasons for the dismissal of Paolo Galbiati and the departure of Markus Howard. Félix Fernández, the club's sports director, appeared before the media to detail both situations, addressing the differences that emerged over the past few months and explaining the reasons that led the club to make these crucial decisions for the project.

The Initial Trust in Paolo Galbiati

When Baskonia hired Paolo Galbiati just over a year ago, the organization opted for a young coach without experience in elite European competitions. Coming from Trento, where he had won the Italian Cup, Galbiati arrived with a one-season contract plus another as an option. The club believed in his passion, dedication, and work ethic, although his initial months were complicated, marked by numerous losses in the Euroleague.

However, trust remained strong. During the previous season, Baskonia managed to qualify for the Copa del Rey and the playoffs in the ACB League, even though the Euroleague turned out to be possibly the worst campaign in the club's 26-year history in the continental competition. Despite this, Galbiati received confirmation from the club that he would continue the following season, even before the end of the previous one. The club went so far as to cancel the termination option that expired at the end of June, publicly demonstrating its confidence in the project.

The Unexpected Turn and Barcelona's Interest

The landscape changed dramatically at the end of the season. Galbiati expressed his desire to become the coach of Barcelona, a piece of information later confirmed by his agent in a public interview. This situation coincided with the departure of Baskonia's previous technical secretary to the same Catalan club, generating a flow of movements between the two institutions.

In light of the Italian coach's insistence on leaving, Baskonia contacted Barcelona. The relationship between the two clubs is extraordinary, especially between their presidents. However, the Vitoria club did not reach an agreement because it wanted Galbiati to stay. Barcelona, respecting the relationship it maintains with Baskonia, did not pursue the matter further and opted for another coach.

Following this episode, Galbiati and his agent proposed a contract renegotiation to the club, requesting financial improvements and an extension of two or three seasons. The management responded that there was one year of guaranteed contract left and that it was time to focus on planning for the preseason and the new campaign.

The Irreconcilable Differences

From that point on, the club detected a lack of active engagement from Galbiati during the postseason and preseason. Friction was observed in his relationship with the technical secretariat, especially with Juan Pedro Cazorla, regarding player selection and evaluation. When the season began, significant disagreements arose over players deemed fundamental to the project's identity.

Galbiati did not want to include franchise players like Tadas Sedekerskis, individuals who represent the club's history and commitment. These differences in criteria led the management to realize that they were not on the same page. Félix Fernández emphasized that Baskonia has historically built itself by avoiding budgetary excuses, attempting to overcome economic limitations through innovation, effort, and competitive ambition.

The club could not afford a defeatist message or abandon the Euroleague in October. With the team's DNA based on competing in all competitions, management made the decision to terminate Galbiati's services, seeking a change of direction that would allow the maintenance of the winning mentality that characterizes the Basque entity.

Markus Howard: From Star to Amicable Departure

Regarding Markus Howard, the club also provided explanations for his departure to Zenit St. Petersburg. The American player arrived in Vitoria four years ago with a one-season contract, and his first months were spectacular, becoming the big sensation in European basketball.

During his first two years, under the coaching of Joan Peñarroya and Dusko Ivanovic, Howard maintained an extraordinary performance. However, in the last two years, under the orders of Pablo Laso and Paolo Galbiati, his level did not meet previous standards. Despite this, the relationship between the player and the club remained exceptional at all levels.

Félix Fernández explained that Howard is a player who needs to play, have minutes, and a defined role within the team. In recent times, those conditions were not met, a situation that affected both the player and the club itself. Howard felt sad and disappointed, being excluded from the line-ups and relegated to a secondary role.

On the 5th of a certain month, Howard's agent, David Carro, contacted management, informing them that Zenit showed interest in the player and wanted to make a significant investment in him. Zenit, coached by Dusko Ivanovic, reached out directly to Baskonia. Ivanovic, with whom there is a personal relationship that goes beyond the professional, expressed his desire to have Howard back.

The player saw this possibility of moving to Russia as a good opportunity to recover his level and the trust of a coach who believes in him. He knew that in Baskonia, that situation would not change. After various negotiations, an agreement was reached in which Zenit assumed the entirety of Howard's contract. Currently, Howard remains in Vitoria resolving documentation procedures that prevent him from traveling to Russia, training at the Buesa Arena facilities, and maintaining a close relationship with the club.

Félix Fernández concluded that both the departure of Galbiati and that of Howard respond to well-considered decisions, seeking the best outcome for both parties. The club remains committed to incorporating players that elevate the competitive level of the team, working in the market within the available budgetary possibilities.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Baskonia justifica la salida de Galbiati y Howard