Veteran Russian coach Evgeny Pashutin has suddenly left Avtodor Saratov amid wild rumours and joined Italian side Cantu.
Pashutin inked a one-year extension to his original deal in May, just before the VTB League playoffs, where he led them to a 12-7 record and fifth place in the VTB League regular season.
But all of a sudden, his spell is over and with Sportando reporting first, the 49-year-old has left Russia all-together and headed to Cantu.
Basketball reporter, David Pick tweeted that Pashutin’s exit was “wild” with Avtodor Saratov front office demanding that Pashutin throw away the playoff games and play the majority with youth players, something the veteran coach did not want.
I can confirm that Evgeny Pashutin finalized a deal to coach Italian side Pallacanestro Cantu, via @Sportando. Heard his Avtodor Saratov exit was wild. Pres ordered to lose series, demanded youth kids get burn in playoffs. U.S. imports were baffled. Shame.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 5, 2018
Now the club have responded directly, firmly denying the tweet made by Pick and instead going on the attack.
We regret you are using such incorrect & unverified information that has nothing to do with reality. This is a kind of slander. Shame.
— BC Avtodor Saratov (@AvtodorSaratov) June 5, 2018