Ex-Hapoel Jerusalem Coach Claims He Rejected Real Madrid Offer
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Former Hapoel Jerusalem coach Fotios Katsikaris stated he rejected an offer from Real Madrid in 2011. He claims the Spanish club approached him after he eliminated them in the EuroLeague semifinals with Bilbao. Katsikaris expressed mixed feelings about the decision, regretting not joining Real Madrid but also valuing the experience of leading Bilbao to their first EuroLeague appearance.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Coach Fotios Katsikaris claims he rejected an offer from Real Madrid in 2011.
- The alleged offer came after Katsikaris eliminated Real Madrid with Bilbao in the EuroLeague semifinals.
- Katsikaris coached Hapoel Jerusalem for four months in 2017 before being fired.
- He described his decision as "50-50", with both regret and satisfaction.
- Katsikaris led Bilbao to their first-ever EuroLeague appearance.
Former Hapoel Jerusalem coach Fotios Katsikaris claims he turned down an offer from Real Madrid in 2011. Katsikaris, who was fired by Hapoel Jerusalem after only four months in 2017 following a disappointing start to the season, revealed the alleged offer in an interview with Eurohoops. He stated that after eliminating Real Madrid in the EuroLeague semifinals with Bilbao, the Spanish club contacted him the following day. Katsikaris explained that Real Madrid was looking for a new coach after Ettore Messina's departure and was interested in him due to his success against them. He admitted to a "50-50" feeling about the decision, regretting not joining a club of Real Madrid's stature but also not regretting it because he wanted to experience the historic EuroLeague journey he was building with Bilbao. He noted that Bilbao was near relegation when he arrived, and within two years, they reached the EuroLeague for the first time in the club's history.
