Manuchar Markoishvili et Sergii Gladyr rebondissent au Galatasaray

Former AS Monaco interim coaches Manuchar Markoishvili and Sergii Gladyr are reuniting to take charge of Turkish club Galatasaray Istanbul, according to multiple reports from Turkish media.

The coaching pair has been out of work for a month following the disappearance of AS Monaco. Galatasaray moved swiftly to secure their services after parting ways with Gianmarco Pozzecco on Monday night, following a stretch of three consecutive defeats across all competitions.

Galatasaray Turns to Markoishvili After Würzburg Blocks Filipovski Pursuit

Before locking in their new staff, club officials in Istanbul initially targeted another former Monaco coach, Saso Filipovski. While Filipovski struggled during his tenure in the principality back in 2018, he holds a strong reputation in Turkish basketball due to his prior success leading Banvit to a domestic cup title in 2017. However, his current club, Würzburg—where he has served since 2021—refused to release him from his contract.

With that pursuit blocked, Galatasaray pivoted to a familiar face from the club’s past. Manuchar Markoishvili previously played for the Istanbul side as a forward for a year and a half, winning the Turkish championship during his playing career in 2013.

Upon his appointment as head coach, the Georgian tactician received authorization to bring along an assistant. As expected, he tapped Sergii Gladyr to join him on the bench.

From Monaco’s Interim Firefighters to the BSL and BCL

The duo forged a reputation for resilience last spring in France. Thrust onto the main stage following the departure of Vassilis Spanoulis in March, Markoishvili and Gladyr took total control of the Roca Team’s day-to-day operations. They handled practices, video sessions, and even pre-game shooting workouts where they personally rebounded balls for the players.

While Markoishvili was n°1 in EuroLeague and Gladyr in Betclic ÉLITE, the pair operated as a tandem. Together, they steered Monaco to a title in Paris after the Match 5.

Rather than overseeing Nationale 1, both coaches will now direct operations in the BSL and BCL.

Immediate Istanbul Derby and Strasbourg Test Await

The new coaching staff will face an immediate trial by fire in Turkish domestic play. Their debut assignment will be an Istanbul derby against EuroLeague side Besiktas, a squad that features former Monaco player Furkan Korkmaz.

Their first major continental test follows shortly after. Galatasaray is scheduled to host French side SIG Strasbourg on October 20 for the second round of the BCL group stage. With both coaches intimately familiar with French opposition from their time in the domestic league, their initial scouting workload against Strasbourg will require little adjustment.