Turkish side Anadolu Efes have today named 2012 Euroleague championship winning coach Dusan Ivkovic as their playcaller for next season.
The 70-year-old Serbian has reportedly inked a two-year deal worth €2million.
It marks a return to the domestic scene for Ivokic after a two-year absence. He coached Olympiacos to a famous 2012 Euroleague triumph in Istanbul, as he masterminded a phenomenal comeback against CSKA Moscow, winning 62-61.
Despite a break from the domestic side of matters, Ivkovic remained loyal to the Serbian national side, as he guided them to a seventh place finish at Eurobasket 2013, and a place in this summer’s FIBA World Cup of Basketball.
It has taken less than a year though for Ivkovic to announce a return to the sidelines, as he returns to the scene of his 2012 triumph.
Anadolu Efes have not enjoyed the best of seasons both in the Euroleague and in the Turkish Basketball League. They were eliminated in the Top 16 with a dismal 2-12 record and dumped out of the TBL Playoffs in the first round by Karisyaka, so the arrival of Ivkovic is a statement by the club that things need to change.
Rumours are that Ivkovic will look to bring out of contract Serbs Milos Teodosic and Nenad Krstic to Istanbul from CSKA Moscow, as he looks to strengthen the squad in order for it to improve.
No word has been made on Ivkovic’s plans as Anadolu Efes coach at this time.
