Real Madrid Reportedly Considered Itoudis Before Florentino Pérez Kept Scariolo

Spanish reports say Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis was among the candidates Real Madrid considered if it decided to replace Sergio Scariolo. The discussion comes after Real, which has now gone 15 years without a trophy, suffered an early exit in the Spanish league quarterfinals against Tenerife and then made internal management changes.

According to the report, the defeat initially triggered consequences in the club’s front office, including the return of Juan Carlos Sánchez and the firing of Sergio Rodríguez. Marca said the outgoing leadership suggested parting ways with Scariolo and put forward several names, among them Itoudis, as well as Pablo Laso and Tiago Splitter, who coached Deni Avdija in Portland.

But Florentino Pérez, who had just won the presidential election, decided only hours later to back Scariolo and give him another chance despite the lack of titles. Scariolo still has two years left on his contract, so any dismissal would require compensation, and that would also apply to most of his broader coaching staff. The report adds that some staff members could still remain for next season.