PAOK are entering a new chapter with Andrea Trinchieri at the helm, and the experienced Italian coach has already made it clear that expectations surrounding the Thessaloniki club are rising.
Speaking during PAOK’s Media Day on Friday, August 21, Trinchieri discussed the club’s ambitious project, the significant changes to the roster and the growing strength of Greek basketball.
The Italian coach believes the increased expectations are a positive sign, particularly when it comes to the passion of PAOK supporters.
“I have to tell you that there are expectations. The love of the fans is an important factor. That is what matters. It is the energy that fills us every day.
If you do not have pressure, it means that you do not matter. I observe that the situation in Greek basketball has changed.
The two teams from Athens, who are very strong, two giants of European basketball, feel a little differently. The situation is changing, basketball is getting stronger. This is very important.”
Trinchieri asks PAOK players to give everything
One of the biggest challenges facing Trinchieri will be building chemistry within a dramatically changed squad.
The coach revealed that around 85 percent of the roster has changed, meaning PAOK will need time to establish its identity.
“My job is to make all the players believe in what we want to do. The most important thing is that they give everything in every game. You will play a game and you should be satisfied with what you have done.
If you win, you will be satisfied, if you lose and you have given your best, you should shake the opponent’s hand and move on. There are very high expectations. Everyone asks for time. It is normal for us. Eighty-five percent of the roster has changed.
In December, I will be able to give you a clear picture of where we are. What I can tell you now is that we are working, we are excited and every day when we leave the court, we have to be happy with what we have done.”
Trinchieri therefore does not want to make premature predictions about PAOK’s final level, instead focusing on daily progress.
Trinchieri praises owner Telly Mystakidis
The PAOK coach also used the opportunity to highlight the work being done behind the scenes, particularly by owner Telly Mystakidis.
A new training center is being developed as part of the club’s long-term project, something Trinchieri believes could leave a lasting legacy.
“It is August 21, it is very early in the season. I do not have many things to tell you. I do not want to waste your time. I could tell you that everything is great, everything is going smoothly, but what matters, if you go a little further from the hotel, a few meters away, you will see something that is completely real.
It is the training center that the team is creating and building and it is something that will remain forever. What I can tell you with certainty is that Mr. Mystakidis is a person who has done whatever we have asked. During the season, there will be wins, hopefully many, and there will be losses, hopefully fewer.”
Cedi Osman becomes an important addition
PAOK also made one of the most notable moves of their offseason by signing Cedi Osman.
The Turkish international arrived after leaving Panathinaikos, and Trinchieri believes his addition significantly strengthened the roster.
With rumors continuing to circulate about potential further moves, however, the coach insisted that he already has the players he needs.
“As for the rumors, they are something that always exists in basketball and sport and I do not need to sign in blood that the team has everything it needs and that this is exactly what we will work with. We have exactly what we need. We have an owner who set the tone for exactly how we should manage the situation.
Clearly, at the end of the season we will have to see whether all these players live up to everything we believe in, but what I want to say is that we created a team in a very smart way and added Cedi, who was a very important addition. Giorgos and Mr. Mystakidis told me at the time that we had to wait and I think we moved very intelligently.”
“Pain and passion” define PAOK’s philosophy
Trinchieri also explained what he wants PAOK to represent on the court.
The Italian coach identified two words that he believes are deeply connected to the club’s history and should also define the new team.
“Speaking about the team philosophy, I will start by saying that there are two specific words, pain and passion, that characterize the history of the club and these are the things that will characterize our effort as well. From there, we are a team that will try to emphasize defense and whatever else we need to do in other areas of the game.
Of course, I am a person who learns every day. Because you have to do a lot of scouting to arrive at the choice of a player, but the situation is completely different when the player comes and works for you on the court.
There you have to see his habits and figure out how you can do things in every possible way so that you get the best possible result in the process.”
PAOK will therefore enter the new season with significant expectations, but Trinchieri appears determined to build the team gradually.
With a heavily revamped roster, Cedi Osman among the key additions and a long-term infrastructure project developing off the court, the Thessaloniki club are preparing for an ambitious new era.
