BarcelonaReal Madrid basketball coach Pablo Laso could return to the bench in the short term despite suffering a heart attack and having to undergo emergency surgery on Saturday night in hospital. After a brief stint at the ICU, the Victorian coach was transferred to the floor on Sunday and this Monday has already gone home with the discharge under his arm. Laso felt unwell on Saturday evening and decided to visit the medical center without the help of any ambulance. Hours later, he suffered an attack and underwent surgery to undergo catheterization. The rapid intervention of the doctors prevented a more serious setback.
The 54-year-old Madrid coach, who has never had a heart problem, will not be able to lead his team this Tuesday in the third semi-final match of the Endesa League against Bitci Baskonia, in a series dominated by the whites. a comfortable 2-0. He will be replaced by Chus Mateo, his main assistant, in this match against the Basque team (9pm, #Vamos), but it remains to be seen whether he will also do so in a hypothetical final of the tournament against Barça or La Penya, who play the another semifinal (1-1). Doctors recommend that Laso change some routines on a daily basis to avoid further scares (eating and exercise), but see his recovery compatible with returning to the bench. “I’m home and I’m fine. I’ve been lucky that life has given me a warning. I have the strength and desire to return as soon as possible,” he wrote via Twitter, in which he posted a smiling photo. .
While predictions were that Laso should take a professional break, it is not ruled out that he could lead his team to the league finals before the end of this season. He has a contract until 2023 with Madrid, who signed him in 2011 and has made him the coach who has led the most games in its history, and who has surpassed another legend such as Lolo Sainz. His record is five Endesa Leagues, six Copas del Rey and two Euroleague. He was recently on the verge of re-launching the continental competition after eliminating Barça in the semifinals of the final four of Belgrade and losing the final against Anadolu Efes.
