Baskonia have parted ways with head coach Paolo Galbiati and appointed Velimir Perasovic as his replacement on a two-year contract, the Spanish club announced on Wednesday, October 14.
The coaching change comes after Baskonia’s difficult start to the 2026-27 EuroLeague season, with the team holding a 1-4 record after five rounds. Perasovic will return to Vitoria-Gasteiz for his fourth stint in charge and is scheduled to lead the team against Virtus Bologna on Friday.
Baskonia confirmed that Galbiati’s contract had been terminated, ending a spell that began in August 2025. The Italian coach led the team in 87 official games, including 43 in the EuroLeague, 40 in Liga Endesa and four in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey.
His tenure included winning the Copa del Rey in February 2026, one of the highlights of his time with the club.
Perasovic, who most recently coached UNICS Kazan from 2021 through 2026, has agreed to a contract that runs until 2028. The Croatian coach will arrive in Vitoria-Gasteiz on Thursday before taking charge of his first game two days later.
The 61-year-old is a familiar figure at Baskonia. Across his previous spells, he has coached the club in 253 games, making him the second-most experienced head coach in its history.
His first stint came from 2005 to 2007, followed by a return during the 2015-16 season. He then came back for another spell from 2018 to 2019. His latest appointment marks his fourth period at the helm.
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Baskonia highlighted his previous achievements with the club, including winning the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup in 2006. He also guided the team to its most recent EuroLeague Final Four appearance in 2016.
Perasovic brings extensive experience across European basketball. His coaching career has included spells at Split, Sevilla, Estudiantes, Cibona, Anadolu Efes and Valencia, as well as the Croatian national team. His honours include the 2014 EuroCup title with Valencia and the 2023 VTB United League championship with UNICS Kazan.
Baskonia’s coaching change comes as the club seeks to reverse its early-season results. Through five EuroLeague games, the team has averaged 85.2 points while allowing 95.6 per contest, a difference of minus 10.4 points per game.
The departure of Markus Howard, who joined Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday, adds another significant change to Baskonia’s roster. Howard had been one of the club’s defining offensive players during his four seasons in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
