Mateo: “I was surprised by Real’s decision to dismiss me that I had lost the locker room”

Her decision Real to dismiss the Mateo It was a surprise to him. The Spanish coach, in his great interview with Marca, did not hide his bitterness for the decision of the administration.

“The life of a coach is something like this and you have to be prepared for what can happen. In the beginning, it is true that I was surprised that Real did not want to keep me, having won the championship and having another year in my contract, but you have to accept things and move on as soon as possible. I don’t think it’s me who should explain anything to anyone. I can explain the decisions I make. This is a decision I didn’t make and I guess there will be an explanation from the team. It would be more reasonable to ask the person or the people who made the decision why. I am committed to trying to control what is up to me and in this case, it was not my responsibility“, Said the 56 -year -old coach.

“Nothing really hurts. I am happy, I live a happy life and Real has made me very happy for 25 years, including these three years that I have been in the team, which is the highest level that a man who loves basketball and Real can seek. I am grateful for the time I spent in the club and feel lucky to have been able to experience this stage“, He added.

As for the scenarios how he had lost control and acceptance in the locker room? “I assure you that this is completely unfounded. It is enough to see the statements of the players on social media when I left the club. If you look at their statements and the way they behaved … definitely not. If I had lost control of the changing rooms, we wouldn’t have won 30 of the last 31 games. We have won six titles from the potential 12. If that means loss of control, I’m happy. Let someone come with more discipline and let more than six titles come than possible 12“, He said annoyed.

Speaking about his future, he said: ‘There is definitely life after Real. It was a wonderful part of my life in general, having been in the club for 25 years, but of course there is life outside Real. I am passionate about basketball and I expect to see what opportunities will come about and I look forward to enjoying the challenges. I hope there are ambitious plans, but above all, I hope there is someone who believes that Tsous Mateo can lead a beautiful project with high expectations. I’m talking about the highest possible level, the Euroleague, of course. But if not, I would like any ambitious plan”

Asked, finally, if he would return to Real, he replied: “They made a decision I didn’t like, but of course I would always carry Real in my heart. It’s the team of my life. I joined when I was 21 years old and now I’m 56. I always had strong feelings for Real and that won’t change. You never know. I do not open or close doors. If the time goes by and this possibility arises, of course I will be willing, but this is a science fiction scenario at the moment, a very distant future. Now I have to go ahead, not to think if I’ll find them again with my ex …“