Vassilis Spanoulis shares why he chose AS Monaco: "I chose this team because I believe a lot in these players and the potential of this team."
Vassilis Spanoulis arrived in style on Wednesday, landing on the French Riviera by helicopter to kick off his new role as AS Monaco's head coach.
But there's no time for sightseeing -- his first EuroLeague challenge is just around the corner, with a Friday clash against reigning champs and familiar rivals, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.
"Panathinaikos is one of the best teams in Europe," the Olympiacos legend told SKWEEK in his first interview. "They are EuroLeague champions, and especially on their court, they are really strong. We have to prepare the team in two days. Our mentality is to go at every game to win the game."
Spanoulis began his coaching journey in 2022 with Peristeri in the FIBA Basketball Champions League and recently took charge of the Greek national team.
Now, the jump to the EuroLeague feels like a natural step.
"For sure, when you start your coaching career, you want to be in the EuroLeague," the 42-year-old said. "For me, it [the jump] was very quick, but I knew that one day, I would be in the EuroLeague. I'm not arrogant, but I know what I can do in basketball. Being a coach is different. I always say that players are the stars of the game."
The former player admitted he's missed the league.
"I miss the EuroLeague," Spanoulis added. "For a player, for a coach, it's the same for me to hear that song and compete against the best. It's everything about competition in this sport, so we have to be ready to play against the best, and we have to be ready physically and mentally to adjust to every game."
As for why he chose Monaco, Spanoulis sees huge potential in the team.
"I chose this team because I believe a lot in these players and the potential of this team," he noted. "We don't have so much time to work and prepare the team because we have a lot of games in a row, but we will try to do our best with the players individually, with videos and talking, explaining their roles and what we want from them basketball-wise."
AS Monaco / Schedule
AS Monaco
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Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensMonaco has started the season 7-4, and Spanoulis is stepping into big shoes after Sasa Obradovic's three-year tenure.
"We know that it's not the easiest thing to come in the middle of the season, and coach [Sasa] Obradovic did a great job there for three years," Spanoulis stressed. "I have to continue and put some stuff from my philosophy. ... For me, it's a big challenge to prove to them [the front office] that they made the right choice."
One of the stars under his guidance is Mike James, the EuroLeague's all-time scoring leader -- and someone who's openly called Spanoulis the GOAT in this league. The two are already finding common ground.
"I talked a little bit with Mike," Spanoulis shared. "We will have a lot of time to talk, but now, we have to work. When I'm at work, I don't mean only practice; work is also on their [players'] minds. I want them to be ready mentally to adjust to the next game."
Monaco's roster also boasts Nick Calathes, the EuroLeague's assist king and Spanoulis' leading playmaker from the Greek national team.
"For sure, we have big personalities, and this is big for the EuroLeague," the coach said. "I'm very happy about this, but at the same time, we have to put everybody together."
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