Olimpia Milano has fired coach Peppe Poeta after the team suffered its eighth loss in the Euroleague, a run that dropped their record to 1-9 in the competition. Gazzetta reported that the decision was made official on November 6, with the club releasing a statement thanking Poeta for his tenure.
The club confirmed Poeta’s dismissal in a formal announcement, crediting him with significant success during his time as an assistant and later as coach. “The Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano communicates that it has relieved Peppe Poeta of his role as coach of the first team,” the team’s statement read. “Olimpia and its ownership wish to thank Peppe for the commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm with which he performed his work first as an assistant and then as coach, a role in which he won a championship, a Coppa Italia, and a Supercoppa. To Peppe go our best wishes for his personal and professional future.”
The team has been temporarily placed in the hands of assistant coach Marco Ramondino, who will guide the squad in its next match. Sportmediaset added that Ramondino will be on the bench for Sunday’s home game against Trento.
Luca Banchi Named Poeta’s Permanent Replacement
Olimpia Milano has moved quickly to secure a permanent successor, with the club targeting Luca Banchi, the current coach of the Italian national team. According to reports from Gazzetta, Banchi has given his assent to the move, and a formal agreement for a two-year contract is expected to be finalized in the coming hours.
As Sportmediaset noted, Banchi’s previous tenure with the club from 2013 to 2015 was highly successful. He led Olimpia to a national championship in 2014, ending an 18-year title drought, and also guided the team to the Euroleague Final Four, a feat not achieved in over two decades.
The transition for Banchi will involve a delicate balancing act. His current contract with the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) was structured such that only the first year required a full-time commitment. Gazzetta reported that FIP President Gianni Petrucci is expected to approve a part-time arrangement, allowing Banchi to manage his duties with both the national team and Olimpia. The primary obstacle to the deal, sources indicated, is not financial but personal—a factor that led Banchi to reject a similar offer from Efes earlier in the year.
Immediate Coaching Schedule and National Team Commitments
The timeline for Banchi’s takeover and the management of his dual roles are now the immediate focus. The Italian national team has two crucial World Cup qualifying matches, creating a potential scheduling conflict. The team will face Turkey at Rome’s Palaeur on November 26, in a game attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and then travel to Serbia for a match on November 29.
🇬🇧 TEAM RELEASE Olimpia has relieved Coach Poeta of his duties as the team’s head coach https://t.co/tiYH3k1ByI
Banchi’s schedule with Olimpia is expected to be fluid in the short term. Gazzetta reported that he could potentially take charge of the team for the first time on Thursday, November 12, for their Euroleague match against Zalgiris, and remain for the away league game in Tortona on November 22. From November 23 to 29, during the national team’s training camp and matches, his deputy Marco Ramondino is expected to step back in as interim coach.
What’s Next for Olimpia Milano
The immediate focus for Olimpia is on the court. The upcoming schedule is demanding, with matches against Zalgiris and Tortona providing early tests for the new coaching structure.
