«I’m really happy. And so happy. It was indeed an unforgettable emotion that will remain for a lifetime.” Manuchar Markoishvili is beaming on the other end of the phone, in “his” Monte Carlo. Because yesterday was the day in which he fully realized what happened the previous evening, Thursday. To understand this we need to take a step back. See you on Monday 18th when As Monaco announces the dismissal of coach Sasa Obradovic – an institution in the Principality – and the interim assignment of the role to “Manu”, one of the Serbian coach’s assistants who will be in charge from 2021.
The former Cantù player from 2009 to 2013, now thirty-eight years old, will therefore lead the all-French Euroleague derby team that would have been staged someday with Asvel Villeurbanne.
Thursday evening arrives and the new Georgian head coach leads Monaco to success (103-92). And he, in the press conference, praises the team first and foremost: «The boys did an incredible job with consistency and concentration – he states -. They showed a desire to play together, to work hard together. Wonderful. It was important to demonstrate this and maintain it for the future. As for me, I thank them because they gave me help, support and above all trust, making me feel like myself.”
And now? «We are waiting for the club to communicate the name of the new coach (that of Spanoulis the most accredited, ed.). If it doesn’t arrive in time, on the 29th we will play in Greece against Panathinaikos and it would still be my turn. But I’m already too happy like this.”
