Basketball-Trainer - Olympia and then Bayern: Herbert will be club trainer again
At the day of the grand announcement, Gordon Herbert served the media of his other adopted homeland. A few hours after his perfectly explained switch to FC Bayern was announced at Olympia, the basketball coach gave a long interview to the Finnish television but none to the waiting German journalists in Lille.
This fits the statement that the club and coach sent out in the morning: The transfer is fixed, the contract signed until summer 2026. Now we should only talk about this topic and all the speculations and only about Olympia.
The future national team coach is still uncertain
"I am very honored to become the coach of a club like FC Bayern Munchen, one of the greatest and best-organized sports brands in the world. We will have a very competitive team, one that fans can rely on and be proud of", said Herbert according to the club statement.
Everything will be "very well prepared", added the 65-year-old Canadian. He is also well prepared at Olympia, where he wants to end his three-year tenure at the German Basketball Federation (DBB) with a medal.
There are still games against Japan, Brazil, and Olympic host France with super talent Victor Wembanyama coming up this Saturday (3:30 pm).
As for what happens after Olympia, it is still uncertain in the national team - for Herbert, not anymore. He is taking over at the double champion from Munich. "Gordon Herbert was our top choice as the new coach for FC Bayern Basketball and we are very happy that we were able to win him over. We are convinced that we will achieve our ambitious goals with him", was quoted from club president Herbert Hainer. The German Basketball Federation will clarify the trainer question after the Summer Games.
Herbert knows some of the players
The news that the World Champion trainer would go to Munich had been an open secret for weeks - even if it was denied by all sides. "It was obvious that it could only be Gordie, if there was an opportunity, because he already knows some of the players and the league. We are very happy that it has finally worked out", said Marko Pesic, looking at professionals like Andreas Obst or Niels Giffey.
Obst himself had no great desire to comment on the change on Thursday after training. "He is still a national team coach - that's the moment that still counts", said the wing player. It is likely that Herbert's move to the Isar was also known internally for some time.
Herbert follows Pablo Laso at FC Bayern, who surprised the Bundesliga scene by leaving unexpectedly and joining Spanish top club Baskonia. In the past few weeks, Herbert had denied any contact with the Munchners and complained that he had been disappointed not to receive an offer as coach of the Bayern footballers.
No transition period
The planned rule, which states that national trainers can only take over a BBL club three months later, was not implemented bindingly, as stated in a statement. "The mainly labor law examination has been completed - with the result that there are significant concerns about such a regulation", the BBL stated on Thursday. Herbert can therefore start directly as head coach at Bayern and does not need a transition period.
For the Canadian, this summer marks the end of his three-year tenure at the DBB with the Olympics in Lille and Paris. In the summer of 2022, his team, captained by Dennis Schroeder, won bronze at the European Championship in their own country. In 2023, Schroeder and Co. unexpectedly won gold at the World Championship in Asia with the final round in Manila and defeated the star team of the USA.
- Despite the grand announcement at Olympia, Gordon Herbert chose to give an extensive interview to Finnish television rather than addressing German journalists in Lille post-transfer announcement.
- The National team's future coach remains uncertain beyond Olympia, while Herbert has secured his role as coach for FC Bayern Munchen.
- FC Bayern was elated to secure the services of Gordon Herbert, considering him their top choice for the new basketball coach position.
- Marko Pesic expressed satisfaction with Herbert's move to Bayern, highlighting his familiarity with some of the players and the Bundesliga.
- Andreas Obst, a professional at the club, declined to comment on the coach swap at his training session, emphasizing his commitment to the national team role.
- Pablo Laso's unexpected departure from FC Bayern paved the way for Herbert to take over, leaving the Bundesliga scene astounded.
- FC Bayern's plans for a three-month wait before Herbert assuming the position were thwarted due to labor law concerns, allowing him to start without transition period.
- Achieving their ambitious objectives is the senior club president's belief, who is confident in Herbert's ability to lead FC Bayern Basketball.
- As Olympic games in Lille and Paris approach, Herbert will mark the conclusion of his three-year tenure at DBB, refreshing memories of Schroeder's bronze victory in the 2022 European Championship.
- In 2023, Herbert's team, captained by Schroeder, managed to clinch gold at the World Championship in Asia, trouncing the USA's star-studded team, signifying a significant triumph before his switch to FC Bayern Munich.
