Hidden in the stands of the WiZink Center on June 19, Pablo Laso (Vitoria, 1967) did not want to miss the game in which ‘his’ Real Madrid was proclaimed champion of the Endesa League against Barça. Away from the bench due to a heart condition suffered on June 5, and with his assistant Chus Mateo at the helm, the coach joined the celebrations as soon as the horn sounded. That triumph was his. Everything seemed to be going well by then. His health condition was improving day by day and his intention to return to work next season was firm. In fact, he still is. But all that glitters is not gold. Nor in the immaculate white house. An official statement published late on Monday reported the dismissal of Pablo Laso due “solely and exclusively” to medical reasons.
The letter reiterated that after several consultations with specialists, the coach’s continuity would pose “a risk to his health” and concluded by highlighting that “not even Real Madrid is above anyone’s health.” Everything indicates that Chus Mateo will be his substitute.
One of the best technicians in the history of the most successful team in Europe leaves like this through the back door. A very ugly farewell for Laso who, after landing at Real Madrid in 2011, did not take long to revive the team and draw an indisputable dynasty, as corroborated by the 22 titles he has won in the last eleven seasons. Among them, two Euroleagues, those of 2015 (Madrid) and 2018 (Belgrade).
In clear disagreement with the medical reports handled by the club, Laso has remained firm in his idea of ??returning to training, convinced that his life is not in danger. It should be remembered that just a couple of days after being hospitalized he returned home driving his own car and it took a few more days to lead Real Madrid’s training sessions again. Although, yes, the doctors forbade him to return to the bench in that final stretch of the season, in which Chus Mateo was in charge of directing the whites. But with one more year left on his contract, Laso did not want to hear or talk about the club’s proposal to withdraw from the limelight while awaiting his medical evolution. A disagreement that led yesterday to the club’s decision to unilaterally announce his goodbye.
Behind this decision transcend several aspects beyond the medical section. From a sporting point of view, Laso’s successes are indisputable and Real Madrid seems almost obliged to publicly explain his decision. But in the gossips of the capital there is also the terrible relationship that Juan Carlos Sánchez, head of white basketball, has had with Laso himself for years. In fact, the coach was on the wire just a few months ago in the midst of a crisis in the results of the Madrid team, but his legacy stopped his goodbye and the man from Vitoria turned the situation around, reaching the Euroleague final and winning the League Endesa. This internal war was also the cause of the goodbye of one of the Madrid doctors, not without controversy.
His goodbye comes at the strangest time and in the worst way. His career deserved better. But her legend, yes, will speak for itself.
