Olimpia Milano: A Clear Message Emerges About Peppe Poeta

The three losses in the last three games have called Peppe Poeta’s tenure as coach of Olimpia Milano into question. Many fans have turned their attention to the head coach, especially after the two EuroLeague losses to Baskonia and Maccabi, and names of possible replacements have begun to circulate, including that of Ioannis Sfairopoulos, a Greek coach with extensive international experience who recently finished his stint on the bench at Red Star Belgrade.

On Friday evening, however, Olimpia Milano issued a statement through ANSA: “We have full confidence in Peppe Poeta.”

The club’s statement comes “in response to rumors regarding the possible dismissal of Olimpia’s head coach. Club executives did not expect such a difficult start but have no intention of replacing the coach who, last season—after taking over the team following Ettore Messina’s resignation in November—won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia.”

Since last February, Peppe Poeta has won three trophies in Italy: for now, his position at the club remains secure. The coach, interviewed by Euroleague TV shortly after the loss to Maccabi, made no excuses: “Right now, we’re not able to play all forty minutes. In this game, there were too many ups and downs; we lost confidence at the most crucial moments. It was a bad night.”