With the AS Monaco Basket situation heading for a cliff, the future of all involved in last season’s Euroleague finalists is uncertain. For one person, while it might be personally trying, there could be a professional upside. Emmet Ryan on an unusual, and unwanted, opportunity for Vassilis Spanoulis.
AS Monaco Basket are having a normal one, only in real life and not online. Mike James and Eli Okobo got into it after Thursday’s defeat to Fenerbahce in Euroleague, with James later apologising. Two players have departed the club in recent days, both little used in the forms of David Michineau and Yoan Makoundou.
Added to this they face a hearing in four weeks to decide their solvency and Sport24 in Greece reported that Vassilis Spanoulis was considering departing as head coach. This was followed by reports that he wouldn’t be on the sideline for Saturday’s league game before his absence, ahead of his assumed departure, was confirmed. None of this is good and it’s undoubtedly quite a trying time for all involved. Yet there could be a unique silver lining for Spanoulis.
A rapid ascent
While Vassilis Spanoulis was always expected to perform well in the coaching world, it’s reasonable to say that he has exceeded expectations already. In two seasons with Peristeri he brought them to a maiden Greek Cup final and secured them a spot in the Basketball Champion League Final Four.
Then it was on to AS Monaco where, in his first season, he brought them to the championship game of Euroleague. Yet again, it was a first for the club. Still things weren’t perfect. AS Monaco finished the season without a trophy to their name.
With Greece however, having guided his national side to the Olympics in 2024, he brought a first major medal in a long time at EuroBasket 2025. While Spanoulis has yet to claim any major silverware as a head coach, through his first four seasons he has broadly impressed. On the open market for top club roles, he will have no shortage of suitors.
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The current reality
AS Monaco as a force in basketball isn’t long for this world. Indeed, AS Monaco as a professional basketball side may well not be for that matter. Spanoulis has undoubtedly been aware for quite a few weeks if not months that he would soon be free to pursue other ventures. Knowing that and being able to act are two different matters.
Even putting aside any contractual obligations, it’s not like he had a lot of free time. AS Monaco have been going through their usual packed schedule throughout all of this. There have been issues, especially with payments, that would have forced him to take on more duties in an interpersonal capacity.
As matters come to a head, especially with AS Monaco’s Euroleague campaign collapsing, there’s clarity waiting over the cliff’s edge. While it’s undoubtedly a tough time for all involved, especially Spanoulis, the end brings with it a chance to breathe.
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The unfortunate upside
Vassilis Spanoulis is a smart man. He keeps his life straightforward. There is his family, there is basketball, and the rest is far less important. That puts him in a position where he can be patient with his next move. With the Greek national team job, he will be able to remain active in coaching without it being the daily grind.
What’s more, he’s going to be in heavy demand across the continent. The list of Euroleague clubs that wouldn’t give him a call with a vacancy is rather short. After leaving Peristeri on his own terms, Spanoulis was able to wait a few months before jumping into the AS Monaco gig.
This is not someone who has to chase his next paycheque or work to stay relevant. He can afford patience, arguably the rarest luxury in sports. That he is getting this opportunity due to the club he guided to the brink of a Euroleague title being in disarray is unfortunate. Spanoulis can pick his shot and wait for the opportunity that best suits him to appear.
The obvious elephant
It’s no secret where a great number of people expect him to eventually land. Vassilis Spanoulis and Olympiacos are about as intertwined in one another’s history as it gets. Both have three Euroleague titles to their name, both won two of those together.
The Reds aren’t exactly in a rush to change. While there were rumours that Giorgios Bartzokas would step down in the heat of the moment following last year’s loss to AS Monaco at the Final Four, cooler heads prevailed. Once more, the Reds under Bartzokas are amongst the top contenders to win it all this season.
While Spanoulis probably has the luxury of waiting several years for the Olympiacos job if it comes to that, I don’t expect him to sit idle that long. The man loves being involved in basketball far too much.
Still, knowing that job is there for him at some stage serves a dual purpose. It’s an asset in contract negotiations with other potential suitors. It also serves as reason for Spanoulis to be more selective in the job he accepts. Anything that could risk the eventual reunion will be factored into his choice. For now, he has a great hand to play with. It’s just a pity about why it was dealt.
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