By Alex Molina / amolina@eurohoops.net
As reported by Diario Sur, Ibon Navarro is set to leave Unicaja Málaga, bringing an end to one of the most successful eras in the club’s history. The Basque coach has already informed both the club’s management and coaching staff of his decision, while players have also been made aware of the situation.
Navarro’s departure concludes a four-and-a-half-year tenure that began in February 2022, when he replaced Fotis Katsikaris. During his time in Málaga, he established himself as the most decorated coach in the club’s history, leading Unicaja to seven titles in four seasons and becoming the winningest coach ever to manage the team.
Attention now turns to Navarro’s next move. Earlier this spring, speculation linked him with the head coaching vacancy at FC Barcelona following Xavi Pascual’s departure. However, that possibility appears to have lost momentum in recent weeks and another Euroleague team appeared.
Serbian media outlets have reported that Red Star Belgrade is considering Navarro as a leading candidate to take charge of its next project. The EuroLeague club has reportedly evaluated several coaching options, including Igor Kokoškov, Dušan Alimpijević, Dejan Radonjić, and Vassilis Spanoulis, before turning its attention to the Spanish coach.
According to reports, Crvena zvezda be willing to pay Unicaja €400,000 in compensation to release Navarro from his current contract. Serbian sources also suggest the club is seeking a shift in coaching philosophy, moving away from highly experienced EuroLeague veterans in favor of a successful but relatively younger profile at the continent’s highest level.
While Navarro has limited experience as a EuroLeague head coach, he is no stranger to European competition. During his time with Baskonia, he progressed from assistant coach under Sergio Scariolo to head coach and gained valuable experience in Europe’s premier basketball competition.
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