Ergin Ataman is the talk of Greece: 'He is a genius'
Turkish coach Ergin Ataman, who manages EuroLeague side Panathinaikos, is at the top of the agenda in Greece. The successful coach reached the championship in both the EuroLeague and the Greek League in his first year at Panathinaikos.
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Ergin Ataman spent his first season at Panathinaikos, where he took charge at the beginning of the season, with historic victories. Ending a 12-year drought and leading the team to a EuroLeague championship, Ataman also secured a victory in the Greek League that everyone called 'impossible.' The Green-Whites, who defeated Olympiacos 3-2 in the final series after falling behind 2-0, celebrated a league championship after a 2-year hiatus.
Head coach Ergin Ataman has been a frequent topic of conversation throughout the season, not only for these victories but also for the interviews he gave and his bold statements. The Greek press, compiling some of the 58-year-old coach's remarks, commented on Ataman, saying, "He is not crazy, he is a total genius."
Ataman, who officially took the helm of Panathinaikos on June 20, 2023, said in an interview two days before that date, "I have an important task in Pana's new roster. I am talking to the president, we will make important changes. We will build a roster for the Final Four and I will work for the team to become the European champion."
'I WILL END THEIR HEGEMONY'
On June 22, 2023, he took a jab at Olympiacos coach Bartzokas, stating, "Olympiacos fans have concerns. Bartzokas is probably worried too; he is a very good friend of mine, but I will end their hegemony in Greece." Saying he would be the champion at every opportunity, Ataman did not compromise his assertive stance even when he lost the Greek Cup.
Losing to Olympiacos in the Greek Cup Final on February 18, 2024, Ataman showed his self-confidence in the press conference held immediately after the match by saying, "I said it from the beginning, tomorrow no one will remember who lost and who won. Olympiacos deserved to win and they did. I am sad that we lost the final. Our goal is the EuroLeague and the championship." The successful coach, who lost the first game of the EuroLeague Play-Off Quarter-Final series against Maccabi Tel Aviv, fired up his team by saying, "The only thing I want to say is this; I promised everyone here that we would go to the Final Four. If we don't achieve this, I won't be at the head of Panathinaikos next year."
Ergin Ataman first wrote his name into the Final Four, and then brought Panathinaikos a EuroLeague victory after 12 years.