basketball
Herbert explains his departure as national basketball coach
Last season, Herbert said he had offers from teams in the Euroleague. photo
© Daniel Reinhardt/dpa
Gordon Herbert leaves basketball world champion Germany. Now the national coach explains his decision and also explains why he is not taking over a Bundesliga club.
The 65-year-old Canadian said he now wanted to coach a club, but ruled out that it was a German club. He wanted to look after a team in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and had the dream of doing this together with his son Daniel, who is an assistant coach at relegated Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. “But that won’t happen next year,” said Herbert.
The reason for this is a rule according to which national coaches are only allowed to take over a BBL team three months after the end of their term of office. The national coach said he had discussions with BBL clubs and only then heard about the rule. “It’s only been around for a few weeks. That was quite a shock. And the end of my hope for a BBL job next season,” explained Herbert. The Canadian was recently linked to the Seawolves Rostock.
Last season, Herbert said he had received offers from teams in the Euroleague and deposited one of them with the German Basketball Association (DBB). “But they were very clear and wanted me to focus on the Olympics,” he said. It has not yet been decided which club he will go to now. “I hope I’ll have clarity in a week or two,” he said.
Herbert led the German basketball players to their first World Cup title last year and at the same time qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris. His contract with the DBB, which actually runs until 2025, will then be terminated on August 31, 2024.