Russian newspapers Sport Express named three potential candidates that could replace Ettore Messina who is likely to depart and sign with Real Madrid. All of the candidates are related to Russian basketball closely.
Russia national team and Dynamo Moscow head coach David Blatt is the most experienced among the candidates. Russian basketball federation wanted Blatt to work in Russia and there were rumours about him signing a contract with CSKA Moscow last summer when Messina's future was in doubt.
David Vanterpool played as a player under Ettore Messina and once he retired he was chosen as an assistant coach. He must have learnt a lot during his time on the bench of CSKA helping Messina coach the team.
Evgenyi Pashutin who is a former Russia national team member was coaching Spartak St. Petersburg taking his team to the third place in Russian Superleague.
