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Rumors, Virtus Bologna: did Coach Luca Banchi resign?

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After the defeat against ALBA Berlin, coach Luca Banchi is said to have tendered his resignation. Virtus Bologna will decide today whether to continue with the Tuscan coach or not.

Luca Banchi Resigns from Virtus Bologna: The Causes and the Future of the Bench

According to “La Gazzetta dello Sport”, Luca Banchi has resigned from his position as head coach of Virtus Segafredo Bologna. The 59-year-old Tuscan coach decided to step down after the heavy defeat against ALBA Berlin, which is believed to have been a breaking point for his tenure at Bologna. He communicated his decision directly to the team in the locker room, just before the post-match press conference.

Internal Conflict with Paolo Ronci and the Crisis at Virtus

This season has been marked by clear struggles both on the court and within the locker room for Virtus Bologna. The fallout with American forward Clyburn at the beginning of the season had already hinted that the team’s internal cohesion was lacking. However, it was the increasingly heated conflict with General Manager Paolo Ronci that created the conditions for Banchi’s decision to resign. The differences in viewpoints between the coach and the club’s management had become untenable. Only Marco Belinelli, the Virtus captain, seems to have remained on the side of the Tuscan coach, while the other players have not publicly supported Banchi.

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Sasha Djordjevic: The Leading Candidate to Replace Luca Banchi

With Banchi’s resignation, Virtus Bologna is now in search of a replacement. The name that has been most frequently mentioned is that of Sasha Djordjevic, who was previously the head coach of Virtus Bologna from 2018 to 2021. Djordjevic, 57, led the team to major successes, including the FIBA Champions League title in 2019 and the 2021 Italian Championship. However, Djordjevic’s potential return to the Virtus Bologna bench is not yet confirmed, as the club’s management and Djordjevic would still need to agree on the terms of the contract. The Serbian coach is said to require a multi-year contract, which could be an obstacle that delays the process.

However, there is also another name on the club’s radar: Sasha Obradovic, born in 1969, who was recently dismissed by AS Monaco just a few days ago.

What’s Next for Virtus Bologna?

Today, the Virtus Bologna management will meet to discuss the future of the team and the next steps to take. The club will decide whether to accept Luca Banchi’s resignation. The goal is to find a quick solution, especially considering the importance of not losing ground in EuroLeague and Serie A. While uncertainty remains regarding the future, the potential return of Sasha Djordjevic seems to be a very viable option.