Bursa, Turkey – Former Barcelona head coach Roger Grimau has accepted the position of head coach for Bursaspor Basketbol of the Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi, the club announced Thursday. The 47-year-old Spanish coach will lead the team for the remainder of the current season, tasked with steering them away from the relegation zone.
✍️ Yeni Başantrenörümüz: Roger Grimau!
Avrupa basketbolunun en prestijli sahnesi olan EuroLeague’de, İspanyol devi Barcelona’nın başında önemli deneyimler kazanan; kariyerinde elit seviyede başantrenörlük yapmış ve son olarak Romanya temsilcisi Dinamo Bükreş’i çalıştıran Roger… pic.twitter.com/gCGsu3scwD
— Bursaspor Basketbol (@BsBasketbol) March 26, 2026
“We believe that with his knowledge, leadership qualities, and extensive experience, he will bring a lot to our team. We wish him a successful period with our green and white colors, and we welcome him to the family,” read a statement released by the club. Grimau’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for Bursaspor, who currently sit second to last in the Turkish league with a record of 6-17. Just two wins separate them from the bottom two teams facing relegation.
Grimau was most recently coaching Dinamo București of Romania before being relieved of his duties in April 2025. He initially signed a three-year contract with the Romanian club in November 2024, following his departure from Barcelona during the summer of that year.
His tenure with Barcelona lasted only one season, during which he took over as replacement for Sarunas Jasikevicius in 2023. He coached a total of 84 games for the Catalan club: 39 in Liga Endesa, 39 in the EuroLeague, 3 in the Copa del Rey, 1 in the Supercopa, and 2 in the Liga Catalana. His overall record was 51 wins and 33 losses, but he failed to secure any titles – marking Barcelona’s first trophy-less season since 2016-17, excluding the pandemic-affected season.
Barcelona finished third in the ACB regular season in 2023-24, but were swiftly eliminated in the playoff semifinals by Real Madrid in a 3-0 sweep. In the EuroLeague, they reached the fourth position, falling to Olympiacos in a five-game quarterfinal series. Real Madrid also defeated them in the Copa del Rey final and the Supercopa semifinals, continuing a frustrating run for Grimau and Barcelona.
The Spanish coach arrives in Bursa ahead of a challenging matchup on Sunday against Fenerbahçe. He is expected to attend the game to observe the team firsthand. Bursaspor will be looking for a significant turnaround under Grimau’s leadership as they battle to avoid relegation from the Turkish Süper Ligi.
Grimau’s playing career spanned from 1996 to 2015, during which he played as a guard/small forward for Joventut Badalona, Lleida, FC Barcelona, Bilbao Basket, and Manresa. He also earned a gold medal with the Spanish national team at the 2001 Mediterranean Games. His experience both on and off the court will be crucial as he attempts to revitalize Bursaspor’s fortunes.
The situation at Bursaspor is undeniably precarious. The team’s current record places them firmly in the relegation battle, and Grimau faces a significant challenge in turning things around quickly. His tactical acumen and ability to motivate players will be tested as he seeks to instill a winning mentality in Bursa.
Fans will be eager to see how Grimau implements his strategies and whether he can unlock the potential within the Bursaspor roster. The upcoming match against Fenerbahçe will provide an early indication of his impact and the team’s response to his leadership.
The appointment of Grimau represents a bold move by Bursaspor management, signaling their determination to fight for survival in the Turkish league. The coming weeks will be critical as the team navigates a challenging schedule and strives to climb out of the relegation zone.
What’s Next: Bursaspor will face Fenerbahçe on Sunday, March 28th. Grimau will be in attendance to observe the team. Further updates on team practices and Grimau’s initial plans are expected early next week.
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