Italian basketball club Armani Milano have parted company with head coach Peppe Poeta following a poor start to their European campaign.
The Milan club confirmed the departure after suffering nine defeats in the first ten rounds of the EuroLeague, leaving the Italian side at the bottom of the standings.
Club officials considered the dismal opening run a major failure, particularly given the substantial financial investments made in the squad during the summer.
The EuroLeague represents the pinnacle of European club basketball, featuring eighteen elite teams competing in a demanding home and away league format. Milano entered the tournament aiming for a place in the postseason, but nine losses in ten games left them trailing the rest of the continent.
Club statement on Poeta departure
In an official statement, Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano announced that it had relieved Peppe Poeta of his duties as head coach of the first team.
The club and its owners expressed their gratitude to Poeta for the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm he displayed throughout his work, initially as an assistant coach and later as head coach.
During his time with the organisation across those roles, Poeta helped win one Italian league championship Scudetto, one Italian Cup, and one Italian Super Cup. The club extended its best wishes to him for his personal and professional future.
Olimpia Milano history and domestic honours
Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano, owned by fashion designer Giorgio Armani, are the most successful basketball team in Italian history, with thirty national league championships and three European titles. In Italian basketball, the Scudetto is awarded to the Serie A champion, while the Italian Cup and Super Cup represent the country's primary domestic knockout honours.
Poeta, a former Italy international point guard who enjoyed a long playing career in the domestic top flight, moved into coaching after retiring from the court. He initially served on the Milano bench as an assistant before earning promotion to the head coach role, where expectations remained exceptionally high following summer recruitment.
Marco Ramondino appointed interim coach
Milano have acted quickly to address the coaching vacancy by appointing Marco Ramondino as temporary head coach.
Ramondino, who previously managed Bertram Derthona Tortona in Italy's top division, will take charge of the team immediately. The club confirmed that he will lead the squad from the sidelines in Sunday's game.
