Yesterday, due to an interview in Spain-based Jot Down, BallinEurope speculated a bit on Ettore Messina potentially leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. At least two sources today are saying that the coach of legend will in fact be returning to Europe to coach … CSKA Moscow, if you can believe it.
Talk Basket reported that “There are several teams in Europe already making offers to [Messina] but it seems that he will return to familiar surroundings. … CSKA Moscow are the favourites to bring back Messina who led the Russians to four straight Euroleague finals and two titles in 2006 and 2008.”
Soon after this article’s publication, man-in-the-know Yarone Arbel reported via Twitter about 15 minutes as of this writing that “…I pretty much got a confirmation on Messina to CSKA. That’s what it looks like.”
Of course, after last week’s terse statement from CSKA officials regarding coach and player hires, no official statement has been made from the club yet.
Update: Sportando and Draft Express (the latter of whom is “Sitting here next to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak”) have confirmed that Messina-to-CSKA is a done deal. Welcome back to Europe, then, coach!
