Galbiati could leave Baskonia, with Perasovic tipped as his replacement

Galbiati could be nearing the end of his time at Baskonia, with Velimir Perasovic identified as a potential successor. If Galbiati’s departure is confirmed, Perasovic would take over at the Buesa Arena; his name has been circulating in Vitoria for several months. The club had chosen to keep its coach, but that decision now appears precarious. The situation is contradictory: the bottom place in the EuroLeague is weighing more heavily than first place in the Liga Endesa, and indications point to the Croatian coach potentially beginning a fourth spell in Vitoria.

The EuroLeague record stands at 1-4 after five rounds, four of them played at home. In the Liga Endesa, the record is 3-0, with a +61 points difference, ahead of Real Madrid and Río Breogán, who are also unbeaten. In the EuroLeague, the sole win, against Armani Milan, and the team’s defensive frailty could cost Galbiati his job. He would then become the competition’s first coach dismissed this season.

The Italian has a special bond with the Buesa crowd and the locker room. Before the triumph that ended a long wait, Galbiati had already come close to being dismissed. Baskonia had then won its first Copa since 2009 and its first title since the Liga Endesa played in the Valencia bubble during the COVID pandemic. After that success, Galbiati summed up his position: «I am a survivor.» Baskonia did not want to keep him, but did try to secure compensation. Galbiati has had to navigate that backdrop at the start of the season, as the club recently signed Brazilian player Marcio Santos and looked for another inside player. If he leaves in the coming weeks, it would be the earliest dismissal in a Baskonia season. Perasovic, released from his contract at UNICS Kazan, could therefore begin a fourth spell in Vitoria.