Ex-Hapoel Jerusalem Coach Claims He Rejected Real Madrid Offer
Translated & summarized from N12 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 building success with Bilbao.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Coach Fotios Katsikaris claims he rejected an offer from Real Madrid in 2011.
- Katsikaris was previously fired by Hapoel Jerusalem after a short tenure.
- The alleged offer came after Katsikaris eliminated Real Madrid with Bilbao.
- He expressed mixed feelings about the decision to stay with Bilbao.
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 wanted to start a new era. He described the intense interest from top Spanish clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona when a coach or player defeats them. At the time, Katsikaris was focused on leading Bilbao to their first-ever Euroleague appearance, a significant achievement given the team's previous struggles. He admitted to a "50-50" feeling about the decision, regretting not joining Real Madrid but also not regretting it because he wanted to experience the success he helped build with Bilbao, taking the team from near relegation to the Euroleague in two years.
