Why Barcelona chose Grimau and made a U-turn after Jasikevicius

After three years in Barcelona, ​​Sarounas Jasikevicius is looking for the next stage in his coaching career from Monday (26 June).

Barcelona announced their departure from the club and promptly handed the reins to Roger Grimaud before the Spanish press could wonder if Xavi Pascual would continue at Zenit St Petersburg and then wonder who the Lithuanian’s potential successor is.

The department’s technical director, Juan Carlos Navarro, chose Grimau for two very specific reasons. Firstly because he wore the team’s jersey from 2003 to 2011 and knows the organization and its philosophy, and secondly because Barcelona’s goal is to bring in new faces to reduce the budget. Or even streamline it.

With the departure of Nikola Mirotic and a few others (Nikola Kalinic, Corey Higgins) Grimaud knows there will be significant gaps that will also need to be filled by young players from Barcelona’s infrastructure ranks.

Grimau has featured in the Catalans’ small teams in recent years alongside club veteran Victor Sada, while the administration wants some from Dame Sar (17.1m.98), Kasparas Jakutsonis (17.1m.87) and Gael Bonilla (20, 2’02), Agus Ubal (19, 1’98), Michael Caicedo (20, 1’98) and Rafa Villar (18, 1’88) will be members of the first team.

The Catalans’ goal is to keep James Nagy for another year before trying to play in the NBA. Nagy was drafted 31st by the Charlotte Hornets, but most likely he will stay at Barcelona for another season to mature competitively and mentally.

As a reminder, Grimaud won a EuroLeague, three leagues, three cups and four Super Cups with Barcelona.