Dirk Nowitzki shared that he hasn't yet seen Alex Mumbru coach a game, leaving him uncertain about the new German coach's abilities: "I'm not sure how good of a coach he is. ... But I heard he's young, he's energetic, and he's a player's coach."
After finishing fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the German national basketball team underwent a change in their leadership. World champion coach Gordon Herbert stepped down, and Spanish tactician Alex Mumbru took over the squad.
German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki addressed this topic during his visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia, for the "I Feel Slovenia Night of the Dragon," an event honoring Goran Dragic's storied career with a special farewell and charity game.
"We've had some foreign coaches before. Even in 1993, when we won the European Championship with [Svetislav] Pesic as a coach, we go back," Nowitzki told the media after a business panel discussion. "Gordie Herbert is a Canadian, and we won the World Cup with him. We've had some history with international coaches.
"I know Alex [Mumbru] a little bit. I played against him a couple of times on the national team. I'm not sure how good of a coach he is. I've never seen him coach a game," the 46-year-old continued. "I'm sure I will get to know him a little bit more over the next few years. But I heard he's young, he's energetic, and he's a player's coach. Obviously, he knows the game, he's been around."
Mumbru, 45, began his coaching career in 2018, right after retiring as a player with Bilbao Basket. He quickly transitioned to the sidelines, taking charge of the Bilbao team, where he consistently exceeded expectations.
The Spanish coach remained with the club until 2022, when he took over at Valencia Basket. However, his time with this team ended in April 2024, just before the conclusion of his second season.
"Hopefully, he can have a great impact and build on what Gordie Herbert was establishing for us the last couple of years," Nowitzki expressed optimism. "Obviously, I wish him nothing but luck. Hopefully, he will have some amazing success with this team. Hopefully, the team will stay together, and they can even grow more and have a great run."
Mumbru's first official game as head coach is set for November 22, when Germany faces Sweden in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. So far in the competition, Germany has secured a win against Montenegro but lost to Bulgaria.
As a player, Mumbru enjoyed a successful career, winning the Spanish League in 2007 with Real Madrid and earning numerous accolades with the Spanish national team, including a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, gold at the 2006 FIBA World Cup, gold at the 2009 FIBA EuroBasket, silver at the 2007 FIBA EuroBasket, and bronze at the 2013 FIBA EuroBasket.
