Behind the scenes of Oded Katash’s signing for Panathinaikos

When Oded Katash received the phone call from Panathinaikos, who tested whether he wanted to and could become the team’s next coach, he was definitely surprised. Katsch, who was busy to the top of Hapoel Jerusalem’s preparations for its critical game against Turkish Turk Telecom in the Champions League, did not expect to see on his show a number with a Greek prefix.

He quickly reset, realized that such an opportunity in his career was not certain to return in the coming years and expressed a willingness in principle to sign. From there the Greeks contacted Hapoel Jerusalem, which itself was in shock. The club leaders spoke with the coach, who did not deny and the parties began talks to find a solution.

It should be noted that Shim greatly appreciates Katsch, even though he did not win the championship with the club, but did win two state cups, and expected him to lead it at least until the end of the season. In the end, owner Eyal Chomsky and CEO Guy Harel approved Katsch to leave if he wanted on the condition that they receive monetary compensation that could help them sign a coach in his place.

Jerusalem is really not happy to let Katsch leave, but realized that it would be better for her not to leave a coach who is not interested in staying with her, and that such a move could hurt the team more than help. Katsh hesitated for several more hours, mainly because he did not like water, but in the end he decided to go for the move.

Katsch, who played for Pao between 1999 and 2001, and won the European Cup with the team at the expense of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the same famous final in which he scored a critical three-pointer, remained in good contact with the club’s staff even after that. Playing with Katsch on the team, he makes the main decision together with Dimitris Diamantidis, and Virgos Klaitsis, who also played with Katsch, he is the team manager, undoubtedly helped his return to Uka, they are also the ones who first talked to him about the possibility of him coming.

Panathinaikos is in a very difficult situation in the Euroleague, and is ranked at the bottom of the table while presenting very bad basketball. Yorgos Vobaras, the former coach, was sacked following the situation in the Euroleague, but the straw that broke the camel’s back was a humiliating loss in the Greek league 92:82 to Lavario.

Even before his official dismissal, it was clear that Vaboras would not finish the season and the Pau men began looking for a replacement. The first name that came up was not that of Katsch, but that of Dimitris Priptis, Kazan’s coach, but the Russians refused to release him. The second candidate was Sotiris Manolopoulos, who worked as an assistant at Pao from 2015-2012, and even coached her shortly after the dismissal of Dusko Ivanovic. But the club did think, and realized that there is really no difference between Vobaras who was fired and Manolopoulos, both in terms of resume and in terms of philosophy and level of training. At one point, even Hapoel Holon coach Stefanos Dadas came up as an option.

These “not sexy” names, to say the least, can show what the club’s financial situation is, as quite a few coaches sit outside with receipts such as Zeljko Oberdovic, and Limir Prasovic, Ilias Zoros and others, who on paper needed a team like Pau Check with them long before Priptis, Manolopoulos and also Katsch.

Panathinaikos ‘economic situation is so problematic that in talks with Greek reporters ahead of Katsch’s signing, they asked if Jerusalem would ask for a large sum of compensation because the Greens now have almost no money to invest in a new coach’s salary, in parallel with Wobaras’ salary and compensation.

The reason for the budget blessing, which of course also affects the ability on the pitch, is the fact that in practice owner Dimitris Yanakopoulos has left, or rather to say no more money in the club. Yanakopoulos, who belongs to one of the richest families in Greece that owns large pharmaceutical and food companies, is known for his warm temperament, which has often complicated him with the heads of the Euroleague, as well as with the authorities in the country.

Yanakopoulos’ decision to leave had several reasons: the team’s failure in the Euroleague alongside his frustration with Jordi Bartomeu’s conduct, which he personally attacked numerous times, a quarrel he had with the Athens municipality, demanding that the team build a new hall in another area because the Oaka is too big for it. But in the end the plan he presented was not approved, and Pau’s ardent fans rebelled against him.

As expected, due to the problematic economic situation in Greece even before the corona, and certainly now, no buyer has come to purchase Panathinaikos – Vinacopoulos remains the owner. At the same time, he has taken a step back and is not running things. He appointed, as mentioned, the two former players, Albertis and Diamantidis, to the decision-makers, with Claitsis being the team manager. On its face is a dreamy managerial-professional avenue, made up of past legends of the club.

But at least for now this trio is not really successful. Truth be told, the team’s roster is very mediocre, and on paper should not qualify for the Euroleague playoffs. Note, for example, the saga in the position of center: Nick Klates’ departure to Barcelona was a trauma for the club, and in the summer, ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv signing Pierre Jackson was signed, who managed to break his arm before the Euroleague opened and was cut without playing a single official game.

In his place was signed Kiefer Skies, who played only three games and left as well. Former Hapoel Jerusalem player Shalvin Mack, whom Katsch knows very well, signed later and is currently the coordinator.

The star of Pau is Nemanja Nedovich, who is remembered from his historic display a few weeks ago in a loss at Menora Mivtachim Hall to Maccabi Tel Aviv 89:81. The Serbian scorer was passionate with 39 points (7 of 13 for three). Other significant players in the Panathinaikos squad are Yorgos Papianis (2.20m), and Yannis Papapatro.

Panathinaikos’ history with coaches since Oberdovic left it in 2012 has not been very good. Six have managed to coach her since, when Katsch will be seventh. The seniors who did not survive before him in office for too long are Dusko Ivanovic, Sasha Georgeovic and Xabi Pasqual, with the only one who was really popular and beloved being Rick Pitino, who himself decided to leave with the outbreak of the corona.

Katsch’s main task in Pao will first be to stabilize the system, achieve some Euroleague victories, a framework in which he has not coached since his difficult days at Maccabi Tel Aviv 13 years ago, win the championship in Greece and prepare a worthy squad for next season, which will be his real test.