ALBA Berlin is turning to Pedro Calles in hopes of reversing its struggles both domestically and in the EuroLeague. His arrival marks the end of Israel Gonzalez's tenure, who had been with the club since 2017, first as an assistant before taking over as head coach.
ALBA Berlin are making a coaching change, naming 41-year-old Spanish coach Pedro Calles as the team's new head coach, sources tell BasketNews.
Calles will replace Israel Gonzalez, who has led the team since 2021. The decision comes after a 101-90 loss to Ratiopharm Ulm in the German league, with ALBA currently tied for 10th place in the domestic standings.
The team has also struggled in EuroLeague play, sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 4-24 record.
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Baskonia Vitoria-GasteizRupert Fabig was the first to report the news.
Gonzalez was on an expiring contract with ALBA. According to sources, Calles has taken over as head coach for the remainder of the season.
ALBA had been following Calles' coaching career for some time, impressed by his achievements and profile, sources tell BasketNews.
He joined the team in January as an assistant coach under Gonzalez. Per sources, ALBA initially had no plans to make him an in-season replacement.
Gonzalez joined ALBA in 2017 as an assistant under Aito Garcia Reneses before taking over as head coach.
Calles brings experience in German basketball, having previously coached RASTA Vechta, Hamburg Towers, and EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
ALBA later officially confirmed the change in their press release.
"This decision was difficult for us," said ALBA's sports director, Himar Ojeda. "Israel Gonzalez is not only a good coach who has already won titles as head coach with ALBA. He has also been with our club for many years, has internalized the ALBA DNA, and has played a decisive role in the great successes of recent years."
"But we have concluded that we are not maximizing our potential in this situation and need to create new momentum to achieve our ambitious goals. We thank Israel for our great time together; he will always remain a part of ALBA. In Pedro Calles, we have a proven expert who has settled in with us over the past few months. Now we look ahead and must all use the remaining games together to fight for the best possible position at the end of the BBL main round," Ojeda concluded.
"I am very grateful for my great years in Berlin and at ALBA," said Gonzalez. "I love this club, the fans, the people at the club, the team, and the staff with whom I spent much time. Unfortunately, the season so far hasn't gone as planned. I understand that the club has now made this decision."
"I have always given my all for the club and would have wished for a different development for all of us this season. Unfortunately, for many reasons, that didn't work out. I wish Pedro much success and the team, the club, and the ALBA fans that their sporting development continues to improve and that ALBA can still compete for the championship," added Gonzalez.
"ALBA Berlin is a big club with a great tradition. Leading this club in the EuroLeague and the BBL as head coach is a challenge I look forward to," Calles said in a press release. "We must improve quickly as a team, gain confidence and stability, play more successful basketball, and win as many games as possible. I am convinced we can achieve this if we all work together with concentration and focus. I want to thank Israel for the good cooperation, which has ended sooner than planned."
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