Vassilis Spanoulis, one of the most iconic figures in European basketball, is now taking on a new challenge as the head coach of AS Monaco. After a legendary career filled with titles and accolades, Spanoulis has transitioned from player to coach, bringing the same passion and determination that defined his playing days.
In his new role, Vassilis Spanoulis is ready to prove himself once again, but this time as a coach. He shared his first impressions of Monaco’s roster, noting both the team’s potential and the areas that need improvement.
“I saw talent, but at the same time, a team that didn’t play together enough, with too much isolation, and players who didn’t show enough joy on the court,” Vassilis Spanoulis told L’Equipe. He also expressed his deep respect for Sasa Obradovic’s work with the team, which included three quarter-finals and a Final Four appearance.
Spanoulis has been quick to compare Monaco’s environment to his time in Athens, which makes him feel at home in the French team. “But also that we are able to control, to understand when to accelerate or play half-court,” Spanoulis added.
His ultimate goal as Monaco’s coach is to help his players master the style of play to the point where they can execute it independently. “I dream that in the long term, the players will achieve this without me having to intervene. It’s beautiful, such a level of mastery,” he said.
While his ambition is high, Spanoulis is realistic about the changing nature of basketball, particularly on defense. “I’m not the type to say that we shouldn’t concede more than 60 or 70 points in an era where we play more possessions, where there is always more talent,” he noted.
Reflecting on his career, Vassilis Spanoulis emphasized the drive that has always pushed him to be the best, and how that mentality now translates into his role as a coach. “When I do something, I always do it to be the best. The job of coach is no exception,” he asserted.
Spanoulis went on to explain how his obsession with basketball and his conversations with teammates and coaches ultimately led him to coaching. “During my career, I didn’t necessarily imagine myself as a coach, but I was obsessed with basketball, how to improve my game, that of my teammates,” he recalled.
The transition to coaching came unexpectedly, but once his agent, Misko Raznatovic, convinced him to take the EuroLeague youth team, Spanoulis knew it was his calling. “I quickly understood that I had it in my blood,” he said.
Vassilis Spanoulis also revealed that while he had offers from other EuroLeague teams, he made the conscious decision to start from the bottom to prove his worth, just as he did during his playing career. “I had offers from the EuroLeague, but I made it a point of honor to start from the bottom,” Spanoulis said, emphasizing his desire to earn his place.
Reflecting on his playing days, Spanoulis recalled one of the most iconic moments of his career—the 2016 shot that secured Olympiacos’ title in the dramatic final against Panathinaikos. “It was the derby. We brought back a new title to Olympiacos,” he said, remembering the unforgettable moment.
However, Spanoulis expressed mixed feelings about the shot. “My only bittersweet regret is to have done that against Dimitris Diamantidis, my friend and teammate in the national team, for whom it was his last match,” he shared.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the historical importance of the shot. “But for us, this shot made history,” he concluded, marking one of the most significant moments of his legendary career.
