Paris, France – In a swift move following a disappointing run of form, the Paris Basketball has announced the departure of head coach Francesco Tabellini, effective immediately. The decision comes after Sunday’s 85-95 loss to Bourg-en-Bresse in Betclic Élite, the top French basketball league, and marks the first mid-season coaching change in the club’s young history.
The Paris Basketball confirmed the news on Saturday, March 23, 2026, stating the move was part of a broader restructuring of the club’s sporting project. Tabellini, who was appointed last summer, will be replaced by his assistant, Julius Thomas, a 29-year-old who has been with the club since 2023.
“In the context of managing its sporting project, Paris Basketball is ending its collaboration with its head coach, Francesco Tabellini,” the club stated in a social media post. “The entire club wishes him full success in his future career.”
Tabellini’s tenure, though brief, followed in the footsteps of successful coaches Tuomas Iisalo and Tiago Splitter, both of whom have since moved to the NBA. Iisalo led Paris to their first titles in the Leaders Cup and EuroCup, while Splitter delivered a domestic double of the French Cup and Championship in 2025, also reaching the EuroLeague quarterfinals. Tabellini was tasked with continuing that momentum, arriving with a reputation for an offensive and intense style of play.
Though, a recent string of setbacks proved decisive. The team has lost four consecutive games across all competitions, and faced early exits in both the Coupe de France and the Leaders Cup. Despite some notable victories against European powerhouses like Barcelona, Madrid, and Panathinaikos, the team’s overall performance in the EuroLeague fell short of expectations, especially considering a substantial budget of nearly 29 million euros.
The situation had been brewing for weeks, with Tabellini reportedly on thin ice as early as December. While he managed to weather that initial storm, the continued struggles ultimately led to this decision. The team had previously stumbled against Gravelines (109-115 after overtime) and Boulazac (87-103) earlier in the season, adding to the pressure.
Prior to joining Paris Basketball, Tabellini built a strong resume in Europe. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Treviso before taking the helm at USK Prague in 2022, where he spent one season. He then found success with Basketball Nymburk, leading the club to back-to-back Czech championships in 2024 and 2025, earning Coach of the Year honors both times. He also guided Nymburk to the quarterfinals of the Champions League in the 2024-2025 season.
Now, the responsibility falls to Julius Thomas to turn the tide. Thomas, despite his young age, is familiar with the Paris Basketball organization and its players, having served as an assistant under both Iisalo and Tabellini. He faces a significant challenge, as the defending champions currently sit in third place in the Betclic Élite standings, just one game ahead of sixth place.
The club’s immediate focus will be on stabilizing its position in the domestic league. The Betclic Élite season is reaching a critical juncture, and Paris Basketball will need to regain its form quickly to secure a favorable playoff seeding.
This coaching change underscores the high expectations and competitive nature of the Paris Basketball organization. The club is clearly aiming for sustained success, both domestically and in Europe, and is willing to make challenging decisions to achieve those goals. The appointment of Thomas represents a gamble on youth and internal continuity, a strategy that could pay dividends if the team responds positively to his leadership.
The next challenge for Paris Basketball comes as they prepare to face ASVEL. The team will need to quickly adjust to Thomas’s leadership and identify a way to rediscover their winning form.
What we have is a developing story. Check back for updates.
