Maccabi Tel Aviv will meet Real Madrid tonight, and after 11 consecutive years and 25 games that he managed against the yellows, Pablo Lasso will not be on the sidelines, after he finished his career with the Blancos last summer. The love story between Lasso and Real ended badly. Towards the end of last season, Leka The coach was in his heart and did not stand on the lines during the playoffs, and at the beginning of July came the announcement from Real that shocked all of European basketball.
Real announced "layoffs for health reasons", Lasso remained shocked and stated that he was fit to coach and equipped with all the medical certificates for this, and thus ended one of the glorious careers of a coach at the highest European levels: 11 years in a row in which he won the Euroleague twice, 6 Spanish championships, 5 cups, and on the way Promoted players who became big stars, led by Luka Doncic.
In a special interview with "Israel Hayom" he talks about the last months that have passed him.
Describe the day you received the message.
"Of course I didn't like it, and it wasn't a pleasant day. I was surprised. However, I understood that the club makes decisions and I have to make them. I immediately understood that I couldn't live on the fact that I was the coach of Real Madrid, that I had to think about the future and that this also opened the door to things Good. If I were to cry, it would mean that I am only listed as Real's coach, but before Real, I am first and foremost Pablo Lasso."
Lasso with Luka Doncic.
One in a generation, photo: Reuters
I read a quote from you that if they ask you to come back, you won't say "no".
"Overall, this is the main club in my career. If it happens in the future, I will consider it. It will be difficult to say 'no' to this club."
Take us back to what happened to you towards the end of last season.
"I woke up in the morning and I didn't feel well. I called my doctor, I did tests, and he told me that I should stay in the hospital. After two days he told me that I could go home. Although a heart attack sounds like a big deal, I must say that I didn't feel terrible and for a moment I didn't think My life is about to change fundamentally.
"All that happened was that I received some instructions from the doctor that I had to follow regarding nutrition and sports. Since then I feel great, everything is completely normal and normal. After all, I never ran a marathon before that and I don't plan to run a marathon after that."
Pablo Lasso.
"I didn't think my life was going to change", photo: EPA
How is the holiday so far?
"It's a big change not to coach after such a long period. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the time I have with my family. Sometimes I get up in the morning and ask why I don't go to practice. Basketball is my life, my love. I miss being a coach. What happened to me is part of the "And of a basketball coach. Someone told me: 'Until you get fired - you're not a basketball coach.'"
What is your greatest moment in 11 years of Real training?
"There will be those who will say that it was one specific cup or another. For me, the big moment was everyday, working every day with such players, with such a team in such a club. Being in this club for 11 years is more than any one or another victory."
lasso
Missing the lines, photo: EPA
When will you return to art and where?
"It will only happen in the right situation. A coach is always on top of the bags. I will only go to a place where I will be appreciated and where I can promote the team. It really doesn't have to be only in the Euroleague, a coach is a coach. I don't like definitions like this one is a Euroleague coach and that one is a Eurocup coach."
"Doncic is one of a generation"
Who do you think will win the Euroleague?
"At the moment, Olympiakos is the best and most stable team, but a lot can change. There are quite a few good teams, and there are also teams that are difficult to assess what will happen with them, like Red Star, who got stronger with Facundo Campasso."
How do you rate Real so far?
"They made big signings in the summer, such as Mario Zonia and Dzanan Moussa. They have a deep and very high-quality team. There is no doubt that they are serious candidates to compete for the title."
How do you see the match between Real and Maccabi?
"It's an open game. Real will come to rebuild their confidence after two losses and it will be difficult for them. Maccabi came in good shape, they will know how to overcome injuries and Lorenzo Brown controls the team well."
Lorenzo Brown.
Compliments of Laso, photo: Alan Shiver
When Maccabi did not convince and there were rumors about the status of Oded Ketch, your name was mentioned as a possible candidate.
"I know they talked about me because I have friends in Tel Aviv who told me. It flatters me that my name was mentioned, but it quite amazed me that the Israeli media talked about me when there is a coach like Oded Ketch, who is doing a good job."
And if such an opportunity arises in the future, would you like to attend?
"If I knew what would happen in the future, I would fill the lottery. If Maccabi thinks of me, it would be a great honor."
And of course it is impossible not to talk to Lasso about the great diamond of his career - Luka Doncic.
Lasso gave the keys to the Slovenian as a 16-year-old in the empire like Real and led to the push for his amazing career.
"I'm proud of all the players I've developed, but Luca is one of a generation.
Luka Doncic.
Great pride for Real Madrid, photo: AP
"He came to us at the age of 13, developed and built his personality. Luca is a great pride. His great thing was that he took something from all the greats he played with. From a young age you saw that he could compete at any level. Real is a club that believes in young people, and Luca is the most prominent example of this ".
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