Monaco has secured its new leading figure. Just ten days after the dismissal of Serbian coach Sasa Obradovic, the Roca Team announced on Tuesday evening the appointment of Vassilis Spanoulis as their new head coach. The 42-year-old Greek has signed a contract for two seasons with an option for a third.

“Known for his legendary playing career, Spanoulis, current coach of the Greek national team and a EuroLeague icon, arrives in Monaco with the goal of guiding the team toward achieving its ambitious objectives,” Monaco stated in their official announcement.

Spanoulis is the third all-time leading scorer in EuroLeague history, trailing only Nando De Colo and a certain… Mike James, whom the Greek will encounter once again on the Côte d’Azur. Throughout his playing career, the former point guard won the EuroLeague title three times, first with Panathinaikos in 2009 and then with Olympiacos in 2012 and 2013. He was also awarded the Final Four MVP three times and once for the regular season MVP.

After starting his coaching career with Peristeri Athens, Spanoulis took charge of the Greek national team in 2023. He notably led Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates to the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they were eliminated by Germany (76-63).

Spanoulis arrives in Monaco with the objective of instilling a positive momentum. After a lackluster start to the season, the Monegasques currently sit sixth in the EuroLeague and also occupy sixth place in Betclic Elite. In their most recent outing on Thursday, November 21, they managed to claim a notable victory against Lyon-Villeurbanne on the European stage, winning 103-92.