Sarunas Jasikevicius contract with FC Barcelona will be automatically extended if he wins the EuroLeague, but the Spanish powerhouse already thinking about Xavi Pascual and Jaka Lakovic as replacements for the Lithuanian.

Credit: Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

The current and overall Sarunas Jasikevicius campaign with FC Barcelona is not as smooth as most people expected, but the Lithuanian tactician could stay with the Spanish club for an additional year, AS reports.

3-pointers this season

36%
9,1
Points made: 9,1
Accuracy: 36,0%
Place in standings: 9
Record max: 14
Record min: 4
Most made 3FGs: Nicolas Laprovittola

According to Alex Biescas from AS, Jasikevicius has a clause in his contract saying that if he wins the EuroLeague, his contract with Barcelona will be automatically extended for a further year.

However, it's also mentioned that even if the clause gets triggered, both sides could agree to terminate the contract and part ways despite becoming EuroLeague champions.

With a 16-8 record, Barcelona is 3rd in the EuroLeague. Meanwhile, in the Spanish ACB, Barca boast a 17-3 record and are tied for the 1st-2nd places with Real Madrid.

Nonetheless, Barcelona suffered a big punch in the gut last week when they lost in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Unicaja Malaga.

Two weeks ago, Jasikevicius confirmed that he's not holding any talks with the club about a possible extension.

"We have not talked yet," Jasikevicius told Cadena SER on Feb. 8. "Why do you ask me this? It does not depend only on me."

"I can't talk too much about it. I have been in this situation as a player many times. I will try to do my job as best as I can. We should not think nor talk about this. It does not depend all on me. We must focus on the next practice and game. Let's see what happens. If we win titles, people will be happy, I'm sure," added the Lithuanian coach.

According to the report from AS, Jasikevicius is still the no. 1 option for Barcelona, but Barcelona's general manager Juan Carlos Navarro is already looking at the alternatives that could replace the Lithuanian.

Xavi Pascual and Jaka Lakovic are two names mentioned that attract interest from Barcelona. Pascual is the last coach that won the EuroLeague with Barca and has a great relationship with Navarro, while Lakovic is showing great results with Gran Canaria.

Lakovic is on an expiring deal, but it could be extended after the 2022-23 season.

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