Pablo Lasso held a press conference on the occasion of his departure from Real Madrid due to illness after suffering a heart attack in the playoffs. And he said a lot of interesting things.

The Basque manager reiterated that he is in good health, revealed that Real Madrid never showed him the medical reports they based their decision to remove him on and appeared ready for the next step in his career.

Pablo Lasso explained in detail:

Whether he was fired by Real for health reasons: “Real has to answer that. If there are so many concerns, I would be grateful if you could give me all the information. I am fortunate that the doctors who looked after me and who advised me afterwards are people I trust.

When Real informed me that I would not coach the first team, we agreed that I would leave. I don’t know if the fact that they relied on medical reports different from what I received constitutes that betrayal or not, I haven’t seen them (Real’s ps) and I over-trust medical reports my health.

I was excited and I thought we were going to have a great season with a great team. I don’t know if it comes full circle, I don’t know how long a circle is, 11 years, 5 years, 3 months? What saddens me is that Pablo Lasso will not coach Real Madrid next season.”

On whether he spoke to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez: “I haven’t spoken to him but we keep in touch, we wished each other the best of luck. I have a good relationship with him.”

About his health: “I’m doing well. I have no problems with what I got, my heart is perfect. I had a bit of a setback, my doctor told me.”

For Real and the account that makes it: “After 11 years at Real I am grateful to the club, the president, the management and the fans. Also the people who have worked with me over the years, the players, the staff. For me they are my friends. I am lucky to have such a job. It was a privilege.”

For thoughts about his future: “I’m not looking for a team to coach. When do I want to exercise? Yes, but I won’t do it just to do it. I want to get excited about the project. I hope I get the chance and when it does I’ll be excited.”

For announcing his health problem before his family was informed: “I didn’t like the fact that my family and loved ones found out what happened on TV. My mother called my wife to find out what was going on. Medical data is confidential, the whole world knows that.”

About his priorities: “My priority is my health. If I have an important race tomorrow but my health is in jeopardy, I wouldn’t train and my wife wouldn’t let me. In other words, I understand what’s going on and I’m fine. I was told there was a risk and would not train, but had no offer.

I’m fine on a personal level. I don’t have the daily training and games, but that’s how it was in the summer anyway. My family is happy because I’m not away and at home all the time. But I still have the courage to watch basketball.”

About whether he thought Real was questioning his work and that’s why the collaboration ended: “According to the announcement, the reasons were medical in nature. I can’t speculate. We played in the cup and EuroLeague finals and won the championship. We had a good season I think. But that’s Real Madrid’s decision.”

About what happened during the finale: “The doctors allowed me to train for the last few games but I decided against it. I thought this would be the right thing. I felt good that we won the championship, I think the team worked well. But that doesn’t matter, because Real makes the decisions. What I can’t understand is that later when I was allowed to train during the finals, there was this disagreement and I had to leave the team.”

For the messages of support he received from former players following the announcement of his removal: “I’m proud of what my former players have said about me as a person, like Doncic and Tavares. But also for the people who stop me on the street.”

Is he thinking about returning to Real?: “It’s a simple question, but also a difficult one. There’s an ad that says “Come Home for Christmas” because if you come home, you get it. If you don’t come back, nothing happens. Real is my life, my team, my home. That won’t change no matter what happens. But if I go back? I don’t know, nobody knows.

My relationship with Real did not end badly. We have agreed on the solution of our cooperation and I have many friends in the team that I would like to keep. I don’t know what will happen in the future, the team currently has one coach. I’m hoping one of my teams will eventually come up with a project that will get me excited, but I don’t know if it will be in Spain, in a foreign league, or from the NBA.”

In the interests of Red Star: “I was surprised my name was involved. There was no contact, but my name being heard shows that my work is appreciated.”

On whether he would consider taking the technical lead of the Spain national team: “The national team has a great coach and a great structure. If he wants me to take over at some point? This question is rhetorical. But I think he’s in good hands.”

On what happened to Ertel and Tompkins during the season to sideline them: “It’s strange to talk about them because normally we would talk about Doncic and Rodriguez. I don’t regret these decisions. To say that we would have won if Ertel had played in the final of the EuroLeague, only a fortune teller can know.

On his relationship with Real’s GM Juan Carlos Sanchez: “Can you get along 100% with your boss? Definitely no. In a basketball team, whether you like it or not, you look at the results and Real’s in that time has been incredible: 22 titles.”

Can he train?: “If you ask me if I have a medical certificate that says I can train, I don’t have it. Do you have a newspaper that says you can become a journalist? no I can have that role if I want, but if a team wants me they can give me an opinion that I can coach.

If the existing medical report offends me? I think losing 30 games in a row hurts me more. Before I sign for a team, I have to undergo medical tests to show that I’m fine. But if I lose 30 games in a row, they won’t sign me.”