Nenad Jakovljevic Sacked; the Former Virtus Bologna Coach Returns to the Scene

Nenad Jakovljević is no longer the head coach of the Guangdong Southern Tigers, a team competing in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The Asian club’s management decided to terminate his contract following an underwhelming start to the CBA season. Under Jakovljević’s leadership, Guangdong recorded only three wins and five losses in the first eight games. The Chinese club has officially announced the coaching change, appointing Spanish coach Josep Maria Berrocal to lead the team.

For Jakovljević, this was his first stint as a head coach outside of Europe, after making a name for himself last season on the EuroLeague stage. Following Duško Ivanović’s departure, the Serbian coach had temporarily taken the reins at Virtus Bologna, leading the Emilia-Romagna-based team through a transitional phase before moving to China.

The handover on the Bianconeri bench took place on March 31, after Ivanović was fired following the loss in the derby against Reggio Emilia. General Manager Paolo Ronci explained that he had opted for continuity: “He’s been working with us for several years now, and has gained excellent experience working with both Banchi and Ivanović himself.” Since then, Jakovljević had given the team an identity based on team play and defensive discipline.

With him on the bench, Virtus finished the regular season in first place with 46 points, four more than second-place Germani Brescia. On the final day, the Vu Nere defeated Varese 104–85, indirectly helping Trento qualify for the playoffs—Trento would be their opponent in the first round.

Bologna’s season, however, ended in the semifinals with a 3–1 elimination at the hands of Reyer Venezia. In Game 4 at the Taliercio, the Venetians won 90-83 with a 33-point fourth quarter, after trailing by 10.