With the imminent signing of Xabi Pasqual on a three-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv, which was first published in "Israel Today", the Spanish coach has a lot of work to do after all the technical details are closed and the contract is officially signed.
A professional team
as we have announced, along with Pasquale is expected to arrive his loyal assistant Inigo Sorsano, who has been working with him for a decade at Barcelona, Panathinaikos and Zenit St Petersburg.
Maccabi wants assistant coaches Noam Levy and Doron Perkins to continue for another season as editors, and the two also express their desire to stay.
Perkins and Doron Levy with Avi Even.
Maccabi wants them to continue,
However, during the talks between the parties the coach raised the possibility that he would add one or two more professionals, and we will soon get final answers regarding the staffing of the professional team for next season.
Budget and foreign players.
Pasquale is known as a coach who advocates a tough defensive game and an orderly and controlled attack.
First, it remains to be seen how the coach will cope with the yellow mentality, which over the years has created an attractive and fast attacking game.
But beyond that, it means deep plowing into the cast.
The cost of the deal with the Spaniard reaches millions of shekels (high salary and respectable compensation for Zenit), and it may be reflected in the staff.
The coach himself has made it clear that he is interested in bringing with him players from Zenith, those who are used to receiving high salaries.
As we published, one of the favorite names for the coach is Jordan Mickey, who has already been in advanced negotiations with Virtus Bologna, but at the last minute Pasquale asked him to wait a little longer and see if he can bring him to Israel. In the coming days the player will decide between the two options.
Another important issue is the future of Scotty Wilbkin.
The excellent guard has a salary (estimated at $ 1.8 million) that weighs on the budget.
His release may make things a little easier and allow the coach to bring in even two good players for the same amount, but in his initial talks with the management, Pasqual made it clear that he wanted to see the Turkish-American guard continue.
Wilbkin.
Pasquale tends to leave him, Photo: Alan Schieber
Israeli staff.
At the moment, only Roman Sorkin continues for sure, and the future of all the other actors is still in doubt.
Decisions regarding the Israeli staff will be made mainly by the Scouting Department and the professional manager, with the coach and his staff having little influence on the Israeli players who will sign or stay, but they will certainly approve any signing.
As it seems, players with a defensive orientation will surely get credit points from the coach on the way.
Sorkin and Yiftach Ziv.
The only one whose future in the team is clear, Photo: Alan Schieber
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