Tony Parker and Terence Parker | Photo: A. Martin/L’Équipe
The president of the French and ULEB Euroleague club Villerban ASVEL, basketball legend Tony Parker commented on the dismissal of his brother Terence “TJ” Parker from the position of the team’s head coach in an interview with “Le Progress” newspaper.
It has already been announced that after a weak start to the season, ASVEL decided to fire head coach Parker. In the French championship, ASVEL won four victories in seven matches, while in the Euroleague the team lost three in a row. Parker has worked at the club since 2013, but three years ago he took the position of head coach.
“I think it was time for a change. The results have been disastrous. I have always said I will do what I think is best for the club. I have always been quite patient with coaches, but the time had come,” ASVEL President Parker admitted. “It is my decision and other people in the management of the club trust me. I thank my brother for everything he has done – remember we won four trophies with him.
“Yeah, it’s never easy when it’s someone in your family. I had a long conversation with my brother and he understood my decision. I also told my parents and younger brother Pierre about it. I warned them all and they were understanding too,” Parker continued. “Together with TJ, we knew very well where we were, because that’s the life of a coach – you can’t work at one club for thirty years. Perhaps the only exceptions are Gregg Popovich and Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson. But it happens very rarely. I don’t worry about mutual relations in the future – he will always be my brother and we will always love each other.”
Parker’s replacement as head coach was not named, but ASVEL was previously believed to be interested in bringing in Germany captain Gordon Herbert, which was also confirmed by ASVEL’s president. Although the German Basketball Federation opposed the merger of the two positions, and the coach himself has publicly emphasized that he has no plans to leave the German national team, Parker would like to see Herbert on his team.
“It is true that Gordon is the main candidate and I hope we can reach an agreement with the German Basketball Federation. Gordon and I agreed on a contract, we had practically found a common denominator in everything. We are only waiting for the agreement of the federation. If it doesn’t happen, we will look for another coach. There aren’t many choices, but there are some. Gordon would be my first choice and I hope he joins our team,” revealed Parker.
Patience is over – ASVEL fires head coach Parker
2023-10-21 11:22:38
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