As first published in Israel Today, Maccabi Tel Aviv extends Greek coach's contract by two years • The Yellows feared a kidnapper from one of the Euroleague rivalries, acted swiftly and upgraded his salary to $ 700,000 • Behind the scenes

• Janis Spropoulos with Nicola Wojcic, yesterday. An exciting career moment

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1 "In all my years at the club, I have not seen a person so well absorbed and this is also evident in the results, but not only the results were before our eyes but also the way, conduct and recognition of the importance of sacrifice for the club," said Shimon Mizrahi, who has been narrated for more than 50 years in Maccabi Tel Aviv. "Ah, about Janis Spropoulos.

The veteran chairman may have some exaggeration, but the main points are true. Since arriving in Israel in November 2018, the Greek coach has become an integral part of Maccabi Tel Aviv. His family has moved to Israel, his son Anastis is training in the club's youth department, and Janis himself wants to be involved in everything.

He comes to the youth group games, gives training to the young coaches, personally communicates with the team’s photographers, engages with all the club staff and even knows what is going on with each of the journalists surveying the team.

2 As we first published about a month and a half ago, the club decided to offer Spropoulos a two-year contract. Initially, there was a natural debate among members of the executive about whether the negotiations could get the coach or the rest of the system out of concentration - especially because of the heavy gaming load - but after brief discussions it was decided to submit the contract as soon as possible.

One of the reasons was the fear that another large group in Europe would approach Sparopoulos and even submit a higher financial offer than the Yellows could offer. About three weeks ago, an official proposal was submitted, and last week George Spropoulos, the brother of the coach who also serves as his agent, arrived in Israel. After the victory over CSKA Moscow last Thursday, details were closed, and on Saturday night, after the Derby victory, the contract was officially signed for another two years with an option for another season.

Shimon Mizrahi. Didn't stop flattering // Photo: Udi Citiat

The press conference for the extension of the contract reached all members of the club's management who are in Israel, a sign of the importance of the move. "I want to thank my heart to the club's leaders for giving me the opportunity to be the coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv," said Safropoulos with tears in his eyes. "Maccabi is a historic club in Europe, and it is a great honor for me to extend the contract and be part of the Maccabi family."

The players have received messages on the topic in recent days and expressed their satisfaction to the team members

The move. "From the moment the coach arrived, he is our leader. He works hard, and that's why we achieve the victories and reach our goals," said Captain John Dibertolomeo.

3 The negotiations between the parties were swift and many demands were not met. The club upgraded the coach's salary from $ 500,000 that he earns in the current season to about $ 700,000 in each of the next two seasons.

Mizrahi, athletic director Nicolas Wojcic, and the rest of the club's management who have been in talks with Sparopoulos and his representatives, have made clear their desire to improve the balance of the title, presumably due to the early declines in the National Cup this season and last season. They will break the dishes.

Janis Spropoulos. The tears flowed by themselves // Photo: Udi Citiat

For his part, Spropoulos asked, and even demanded, that efforts be made to leave as many players as possible on the current roster for the coming seasons and sign the players he would like to strengthen. The management promised they would do their utmost, and as proof of that, attempts to attach Jackson's closet in the coming days.

"We continue to work by DNA - win every game," Wojcic concluded. "We dream of going back to win the Euroleague, but know that this is a very difficult task. Every effort will be made to help Janis meet all goals and add more titles to Maccabi's wardrobe. "