In the high-stakes world of elite sports, even the most decorated figures face moments that test their resolve. For Sergio Scariolo, one of European basketball`s most successful coaches, a single day delivered a particularly sharp, double-edged blow, intertwining professional aspiration with personal passion in a twist of fate only life could orchestrate.
The Unfortunate Coincidence: Raptors and Rodri
Imagine being on the cusp of realizing a long-held dream, only for it to slip away at the last moment. Now, imagine that happening precisely ten minutes after your beloved football team concedes the decisive goal in a major final. Such was the peculiar agony for Sergio Scariolo on that fateful day in 2023.
The Italian maestro, whose tactical brilliance has guided the Spanish national team to an unprecedented era of dominance, was deep in negotiations for the head coaching role with the NBA`s Toronto Raptors. “I genuinely believed it could happen when it came down to just two candidates for the Raptors bench,” Scariolo recounted, admitting a initial skepticism about an European coach landing such a coveted position. Yet, as the process unfolded, optimism grew. “I got so close, I thought: `Well, now we`re near, let`s hope.`”
Then, the universe delivered its cynical punchline. “They gave me the negative news exactly ten minutes after City`s goal against my beloved Inter in the 2023 Champions League final,” he shared, a wry laugh underscoring the absurdity. “One of those days where it`s better not to get out of bed.” This poignant anecdote reveals a human vulnerability often hidden behind the stern demeanor of a championship-winning coach, reminding us that even sporting legends are not immune to the collective heartbreak of a missed opportunity, both personal and communal.
A Legacy Continues: From Spanish Gold to Real Madrid Royalty
Despite the NBA near-miss, Scariolo`s trajectory continues to soar. August`s EuroBasket will mark his final tournament at the helm of the Spanish national team, a tenure that began in 2009 and has seen multiple generations of players embrace a winning mentality. “When I arrived, there was great technical quality, but little competitiveness and ambition,” he explained. “Then the generation born in the 80s (including Pau Gasol, Navarro, Calderon, among others) began to believe that winning was not an unattainable dream. And this spirit consolidated and then passed down. Knowing how to sacrifice a bit of oneself for the team, always. A culture that lasts over time.”
This summer, however, is far from a farewell. In a parallel narrative, Scariolo prepares for a monumental return to Real Madrid, a club he last coached over two decades ago. The prospect of leading one of Europe`s most storied basketball institutions is a challenge he embraces with characteristic ambition. “It was the right, interesting, and attractive opportunity,” he stated. “Real is a club with ambition, with history, with a present and, above all, with a desire for the future.”
His objective at Real Madrid is clear: to compete for the EuroLeague title, a crown he approaches with a measured ambition. “For the first time in my life, I will coach a team that can have the mission to win the EuroLeague, even if I say it cautiously,” he noted, acknowledging the financial might of some rivals. “But by tradition and ambition, and by the presence of players with that same winning mentality, we want to climb that step. I have a great desire.”
The Art of Coaching: Influence, Listening, and Evolution
Scariolo`s coaching philosophy, honed over decades, emphasizes a nuanced approach to leadership. Working with figures like Sergio “El Chacho” Rodriguez, now Real Madrid`s sporting director, has reinforced his belief in recognizing talent beyond the court. “He positively surprised me,” Scariolo said of Rodriguez. “The club was good at recognizing this talent also off the court: he already seems like a veteran.” Rodriguez`s unselfish leadership as a player resonated deeply: “The Chacho on the court had a very rare leadership: he was never jealous of the starting five, and he immediately had a strong impact on games and teammates: he made everyone happy. A great example.”
His career, which included stints with Italian clubs like Milano and Bologna, has taught him invaluable lessons, even from the more turbulent departures. “By nature, I don`t harbor resentments,” he asserted. “Clearly, I have my ideas on how things went, and on a slightly different way of professionally understanding the world of basketball. After spending most of my career between Spain and the NBA, I realized that in some situations, I didn`t find myself very much. That said, I have many beautiful memories, which certainly tend to prevail, even over difficult moments.”
When asked what he would take from his 29-year-old self, who won a championship in Pesaro at his debut, Scariolo quipped, “Just the age!” More profoundly, he offered two key lessons: “It`s not about commanding, but about influencing. It`s much more important, and lasting, to be able to have a positive impact, instead of imposing something. The second is much more relevant to listen than to talk. Players give you a lot of information: about what they think, what motivates them, how to relate to them. It`s often much better to open your ears than your mouth.”
Looking Ahead: Italy, EuroBasket, and Enduring Rivalries
The upcoming EuroBasket presents Scariolo with another intriguing challenge: facing Italy, his homeland, in the group stage. His friendly rivalry with Italian coach Gianmarco Pozzecco is a testament to the camaraderie among professionals. “Coffee with Pozzecco always turns into a couple of hours of discussion and laughter: we are people capable of defusing situations,” he noted. “He`s now a veteran, advice comes from a mutual exchange of experiences.”
He views Italy as a balanced team, blending veteran experience with promising young talent. “The group will be very challenging; it`s hard to even think about who might be left out: only Greece seems out of reach. Qualifying for Riga will already be an achievement.”
As for his legendary clashes with Ettore Messina, another Italian coaching giant, Scariolo sees beyond mere competition. “Obviously, when you face each other, there`s always a component of rivalry. But I see it more as a friendship, even if not one where you feel each other every week. We grew up basketball-wise in parallel, the experiences have been different, but for me, Ettore has always been a reference point.”
Sergio Scariolo embodies the modern basketball coach: strategic, adaptable, and deeply human. His journey, marked by monumental successes and the occasional ironic setback, continues to shape the landscape of European basketball, proving that the most compelling stories are often found where professional ambition meets personal passion.
A narrative by a sports enthusiast.
Murray Blackwood