Exactly two months remain until the start of the new EuroLeague season, and in this article, we rank all 20 head coaches in the competition.
The EuroLeague is the most prestigious basketball competition on the Old Continent. Players and their spectacular performances on the court are always in the spotlight—and rightfully so—but behind every success stands a head coach as the true mastermind.
In this article, we ranked all 20 coaches according to Basketball Sphere’s opinion, using three criteria listed at the very end of the article.
1) SARUNAS JASIKEVICIUS
Winning the EuroLeague doesn’t automatically make you the best coach on the continent, but in the case of Sarunas Jasikevicius, it was the only missing piece for him to currently stand as the hottest name in the profession, and at the very top.
Over the past five seasons, he has reached the EuroLeague Final Four every single time. His Barcelona teams consistently dominated the regular season, and he managed to turn things around for Fenerbahce as soon as he arrived last season. The crowning moment came now in Abu Dhabi, a title he had long deserved.
In the 21st century, only Zeljko Obradovic has managed to reach five consecutive Final Fours, doing so with Fenerbahce, while Dimitris Itoudis is the only one to have done it six times in a row, leading CSKA Moscow. That only show how massive Jasikevicius’ achievement really is, and how difficult it is to deliver results at the highest level, year after year.
Photo: Maksim Konankov
2) ERGIN ATAMAN
Over the past six seasons, no head coach in the EuroLeague has accomplished more than Ergin Ataman. He’s lifted the trophy three times, and might have done it a fourth time if the COVID pandemic hadn’t interrupted the 2019/20 season. He completely transformed Panathinaikos and restored their glory, but the most recent campaign didn’t go as planned.
Panathinaikos fell flat at the Final Four, losing to Fenerbahce, and were also outplayed by Olympiacos in the Greek League Finals. Still, Ataman remains one of the best in the business, and there’s no doubt that the Greens from Athens will once again be contenders for the most prestigious trophy in European basketball next season.
Photo: FIBA
3) ZELJKO OBRADOVIC
When ranking European basketball coaches in any way and for any purpose, it often feels almost absurd not to place Zeljko Obradovic at the very top. The man won nine EuroLeague titles in his career, five more than anyone else. He’s also been a FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket winner with Yugoslavia, and he coached that same national team to an Olympic silver medal in Atlanta. Add to that two Saporta Cups (the equivalent of today’s EuroCup), and it’s fair to say that no one is likely to ever replicate such a career.
Still, in recent years, Obradovic hasn’t been able to replicate his EuroLeague success with Partizan, the same club he led to the title back in 1992. The last two seasons were particularly disappointing, as Partizan didn’t even reach the EuroLeague Play-In. Yet, two ABA League titles in three seasons show that there’s still plenty of fire in him. His quality and knowledge are unquestioned, and perhaps best exemplified two years ago, when Partizan came within a single step of the EuroLeague Final Four, which would have been an enormous achievement.
Photo: Dragana Stjepanovic/ABA League
4) GEORGIOS BARTZOKAS
Winning the Greek League title against this Panathinaikos team must be considered a success, but any Olympiacos fan claiming that the EuroLeague trophy wasn’t the only real ambition last season would be lying. Georgios Bartzokas managed to lead the Reds to four straight Final Four appearances — a remarkable feat in itself — but he’s repeatedly fallen short of finishing the job during this tenure. He’s been eliminated in the semifinals three times, including a shocking loss to Monaco just two months ago.
There’s no doubt Bartzokas is one of the top coaches in Europe right now, but time is not currently working in his favor at Olympiacos. The club has assembled the most expensive roster in its history, and once again, the entire season will be judged based on EuroLeague Final Four results. And under Bartzokas, Olympiacos hasn’t found success on that stage since 2013. It’s also fair to say that Sergio Llull has had a lot to do with that.
Photo: Basketball Sphere
5) DIMITRIS ITOUDIS
Winning the EuroCup might not define his career or encapsulate everything he’s achieved, but that trophy with Hapoel Tel Aviv may very well be the sweetest one yet for Dimitris Itoudis. When one of the greatest basketball minds in Europe in the 21st century drops down a level, all eyes inevitably turn to him, and many hope or expect him to fail. But Itoudis lived up to his reputation and stature. He captured the title by upsetting Valencia in the semifinals and now returns to the biggest stage.
His stint at Fenerbahce may not have fully lived up to the expectations of that fan base, but the two EuroLeague titles with CSKA Moscow, along with the unprecedented run of six consecutive Final Four appearances, should never be forgotten. No other coach has achieved that in the 21st century, and it’s worth noting that Itoudis wasn’t the only one who had elite talent at his disposal.
Photo: FIBA
6) ETTORE MESSINA
The past few seasons have been anything but fruitful for Ettore Messina. No coach in European basketball has faced as much criticism as he has. Not even three consecutive Serie A titles with Milano were enough to ease the pressure. Last season was particularly disappointing. His team once again failed to reach the EuroLeague Play-In, and this time they were also knocked out of the Serie A in the semifinals by Virtus.
Still, it’s impossible to overlook everything Messina has accomplished in his career. Four EuroLeague titles with two different clubs and double-digit Final Four appearances speak for themselves. After all, massive amounts of money have been poured into Milano for the past 15 years, and many high-profile coaches have come and gone. Yet, only Messina managed to take them to the EuroLeague Final Four. That might say more about the DNA and environment of the club — which seems incredibly difficult to change — than about the coach himself.
Foto: Basketball Sphere
7) DUSKO IVANOVIC
Just when you think his time has passed and his EuroLeague career is over, he comes back stronger than ever — rising like a phoenix from the ashes. When he took over Besiktas in 2018, it seemed like his glory days were behind him. But just two years later, he led Baskonia to a stunning Liga Endesa title. And when he left that same club at the end of the 2023/24 season, many doubted he’d get another shot on a big stage. Guess what? Dusko Ivanovic arrived at Virtus, turned everything around, and delivered the club’s first Serie A title in four years.
When it comes to his coaching methods, there are always two drastically different sides. One is extremely positive, the other extremely critical. The truth is, not everyone has the mental toughness and character to be coached by Ivanovic. But his career and results speak for themselves. Titles in Italy, Serbia, Spain, France, and Switzerland prove it. Because hard work and discipline are respected on every corner of the European basketball map.
Photo: Basketball Sphere
8) SERGIO SCARIOLO
ChatGPT said:
Aside from Dusko Ivanovic, there’s no doubt that Sergio Scariolo is the most respected and accomplished European coach without a EuroLeague title under his belt. To be fair, he’ll have a massive opportunity to change that in the near future, as he has taken over at Real Madrid, clearly with that very ambition in mind. To lift the one trophy that would complete an extraordinary career, built largely in Spain, where he led the national team to four EuroBasket titles and one FIBA World Cup crown.
ChatGPT said:
The previous stint at Virtus didn’t end on the happiest note, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that he was the one who brought the Bologna club back to the EuroLeague after a long wait. He also delivered Unicaja’s only title in club history, and as head coach, he won trophies with Real Madrid even in the last century. That alone speaks volumes about how long and successful Scariolo’s career has been.
Foto: FIBA
9) IGOR KOKOSKOV
ChatGPT said:
When Basketball Sphere first reported in early March that Igor Kokoskov would take over Anadolu Efes starting summer 2025, many were surprised. Not so much by the Turkish club’s decision, but by the Serbian coach’s choice to give the EuroLeague another shot. One of the most prestigious NBA assistants of the 21st century didn’t make a splash at Fenerbahce, failing to win any trophies and never reaching the EuroLeague Final Four with his team.
It’s clear Kokoskov wants to change that narrative and prove that all the success he’s had across the Atlantic wasn’t and can’t be accidental. He’ll have one of the best rosters in Europe at his disposal after several major signings recently, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him ranked much higher on this list 12 months from now.
Foto: Nebojsa Parausic/KSS
10) GORDON HERBERT
Gordon Herbert is a coach who has been widely talked about recently, and understandably so, given what he accomplished with the German national team during his tenure. Winning the FIBA World Cup, securing a bronze medal at EuroBasket, and finishing fourth at the Olympics were more than enough to earn him the Bayern Munich job, where once again his basketball style earned widespread admiration.
Although Bayern stumbled late in the regular season and missed the EuroLeague playoffs by just one win, that doesn’t change the fact that Herbert achieved a massive overachievement. The Bavarians boasted one of the most dynamic and effective offenses in the entire competition. In the end, they captured the Bundesliga title, and Herbert firmly established himself as one of the hottest coaches on the continent.
Photo: FIBA
11) IOANNIS SFAIROPOULOS
If any head coach has experienced huge ups and downs in a short period, it’s Ioannis Sfairopoulos. After a remarkable run of victories against Zeljko Obradovic‘s Partizan during the 2023/24 season, he was hailed as a top-tier coach. Yet just 12 months later, he came under heavy fire when his Crvena Zvezda squandered a massive lead and opportunity late in the EuroLeague regular season. That slump carried over into local competitions, with early semifinal exits in both the ABA League and Serbian Super League.
Still, a few tough months can’t erase everything Sfairopoulos has achieved with Crvena Zvezda before that. Nor can it overshadow the fact that he twice reached the EuroLeague Final with Olympiacos. There’s no doubt he’s eager to prove he still has a major say in one of Europe’s most basketball-passionate cities.
Photo: Cibona (Ivana Dergez)
12) ODED KATTASH
Oded Kattash has quickly established himself as an excellent coach at the highest level. Twice in the past three seasons, he led Maccabi Tel Aviv from underdog status to the EuroLeague quarterfinals, only to be eliminated in Game 5 both times. Once by later champion Panathinaikos, and before that by Monaco. Last season was a disappointment in the competition, but given the circumstances, it’s clear that probably no other coach could have done more.
Foto: Basketball Sphere
13) VASSILIS SPANOULIS
One of the greatest players in EuroLeague history has quickly emerged as one of the brightest basketball coaching minds as well. Vassilis Spanoulis didn’t skip any steps, as he started the right way. He led Peristeri to the Final Four of the FIBA Champions League, a massive overachievement, and his Greek national team looked perhaps the most mature it’s ever been in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
This recent stretch with Monaco proved that he already possesses not just great potential, but real coaching quality. He guided the team to the EuroLeague Final, knocking out the heavily favored Olympiacos in the semifinals. The French League title slipped away in a Game 5 loss to Paris, but it’s important to note he was without the suspended Mike James.
Photo: FIBA
14) PEDRO MARTINEZ
Although he’s been considered one of the best Spanish coaches for over a decade, Pedro Martinez returns to the EuroLeague after an eight-year absence. He’s never been one to take the easy path, and he’s always embraced the challenge of proving himself in different ways. Under his guidance, Manresa played well above expectations, and what he accomplished in Valencia will be remembered for generations.
Most notably, of course, is the club’s only domesic title won in 2017. Last season, Valencia had one of the most potent offenses in all of European basketball last season. In fact, it was more surprising when they finished games with single-digit made three-pointers than when they hit 15 or more. They eventually reached the Liga Endesa Finals, but Real Madrid simply proved to be too strong.
Photo: FIBA
15) JOAN PENARROYA
If there’s a coach who just can’t seem to catch a break and get a real chance to prove himself at the highest level, it’s Joan Penarroya. Two FIBA Champions League titles with Burgos, along with a string of impressive results in Spain’s lower tiers with Andorra, are clear proof that he knows how to do his job. And yet, something always seems to be missing on the biggest stage. His Baskonia team in the 2022/23 season played some of the most attractive basketball in the EuroLeague, even leading the standings at one point. They held a Top 8 spot all the way until the final round of the regular season, only to let it slip away at the very end.
Luck hasn’t been on his side in Barcelona either. The club just had one of its worst seasons in the past decade, though they were plagued by injuries throughout. Penarroya has been given another chance by the front office, and now it’s make-or-break time for him. Because if he doesn’t deliver in Catalonia, the odds are far greater that he won’t get another shot at the big stage than that he will.
Photo: Marc Graupera – FC Barcelona
16) JURICA GOLEMAC
After a decade of coaching experience, Jurica Golemac has finally earned the opportunity to lead a team in the EuroLeague. He was one of the biggest sensations in ABA League history with Koper Primorska, and his Cedevita Olimpija remains the only version of that club to reach the EuroCup quarterfinals. He also left a strong impression last season in Dubai, guiding the team to the ABA League semifinals with some impressive wins over Crvena Zvezda and Partizan. Now, he’ll look to prove himself on the biggest stage.
Photo: Cedevita Olimpija/Ales Fevzer
17) PAOLO GALBIATI
Paolo Galbiati has yet to be officially announced as the new head coach of Baskonia, although by now it’s an open secret and everyone is just waiting for the club from Vitoria to make it formal. The Italian coach did a phenomenal job with Trento, leading them to the Italian Cup title with a win over Milano earlier this year, and he also went on an extended unbeaten run in Serie A. Considered one of the most promising young coaches on the continent, Galbiati will now have the opportunity to show whether he truly lives up to the hype.
Printscreen
18) PIERRIC POUPET
He may be ranked low on this list, but in two seasons with Asvel, Pierric Poupet has shown that he possesses serious coaching potential. Time is on his side, but he still lacks a trophy with the club from Villeurbanne. Last season featured some big, eye-catching wins in the EuroLeague, but the fact remains — basketball, at the end of the day, is played for titles.
Photo: Asvel Basket
19) FRANCESCO TABELLINI
Let’s be honest — if you had polled the average EuroLeague fan 12 months ago, four out of five wouldn’t have had a clue who Francesco Tabellini was. But that says far more about them than it does about the highly talented and promising Italian coach.
His Nymburk side amazed everyone in the FIBA Champions League. Not just with a string of impressive wins, but with the style in which they played. That dynamic and high-octane offense is exactly what earned him the job in Paris, a club that embraced that brand of basketball in recent seasons. A leap from the Czech League to the EuroLeague doesn’t happen often, but Tabellini has rightfully earned his shot.
Photo: FIBA
20) TOMAS MASIULIS
He may be a rookie EuroLeague head coach with the least top-level experience among his peers, but Tomas Masiulis is anything but an unknown name at this level. For the past seven years, he was the right-hand man to Sarunas Jasikevicius, closely involved in every project the Lithuanian mastermind led, and there’s no doubt he had one of the best mentors in the game. Now, he gets his chance with the club from his hometown — the very organization that gave him everything in his playing career — and he’ll aim to repay that trust to Zalgiris in the best possible way.
Printscreen
HOW WE CREATED THIS POWER RANKINGS?
If you’re wondering how we put together this ranking and what criteria we used, here’s the answer.
We applied three main parameters: the overall result each coach has achieved in their career as a head coach, their performance in the previous season, and the general impression and impact they’ve made across all competitions over the past five years.
Up To 100 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 100 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 122 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 122 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 200 €/$ Welcome Bonus