Dimitris Giannakopoulos has opened up on Panathinaikos’ 2025/26 season, reflecting on the injuries, the team’s failure to reach the EuroLeague Final Four and the criticism surrounding head coach Ergin Ataman.
The Panathinaikos president admitted that he expected more from the team on the basketball court, but believes several unfortunate circumstances prevented the club from seeing its full potential.
“We had a few injuries in the beginning. Two key ones, and not only in the beginning, but also in the middle of the season with Kendrick Nunn, and at the end of the season with Kostas Sloukas,” Dimitris Giannakopoulos said.
“Sloukas is the heart and the brain at critical moments. So we never had the possibility, the chance, to see the full team – not only play together, not only being prepared, to be honest, first, but not even play together.”
According to Giannakopoulos, those circumstances make it difficult to properly evaluate what last season’s Panathinaikos team could have achieved at full strength.
“So we don’t know the capabilities of last year’s team,” he added.
Dimitris Giannakopoulos: Basketball-wise, I expected something better
While Giannakopoulos considers the development of Panathinaikos’ home arena a major success, he was more critical when discussing the team’s performances on the court.
“Actually, I don’t think it’s a failure. I think it’s a success because, first, we have the best stadium in Europe,” Giannakopoulos said. “Panathinaikos never had, you know, a stadium owned by itself, by the club. So now we have – we were able to invest tens of millions in this arena. Whoever has seen it has been really astonished.”
He also highlighted the atmosphere surrounding the club and the response from its supporters.
“So, having a home for the first time, I think it’s really, really, really a big success. Having families, having people coming in, having season tickets sold in seconds, I mean, you’re probably doing something right.”
However, Giannakopoulos acknowledged that the basketball side of the project did not meet his expectations.
“Now, basketball itself is the most important part. Basketball-wise, I expected something better. But I told you, we had some hiccups on the road, and the results were the ones that came in.”
The Panathinaikos president also pointed to the EuroLeague playoff series against Valencia as one of the reasons for the club’s decision to make changes heading into the new season.
“So, of course, I would like to see Panathinaikos in the Final Four. Especially being in the arena, the stadium. Of course, I would like to see that. That didn’t happen. Life goes on. But, yes, it was one of the reasons why we changed gears this year. This is a big time.”
Giannakopoulos defends Ergin Ataman
One of the most notable parts of Giannakopoulos’ comments concerned the support given to Ataman throughout the season. Asked what he had learned from the previous campaign, Giannakopoulos rejected the idea that Panathinaikos had necessarily gone through a traditional “learning season.”
“I think this season was just unlucky. We’re just unlucky. I don’t think there was a learning season. I don’t think this season taught us anything.”
Instead, he identified a lack of consistent support for the coaching staff as something he did not like.
“The only thing that I could say is, like, one of the things I didn’t like this year is that there was not 100% support to our coaching team from everybody all season round.”
“So my message is, as you said, there’s wins, there’s losses. Wins, the team need you more. And the losses, that’s why you need the support. It’s just the opposite. Everybody was asking me, why you support Ergin Ataman so much this season, and why are you so pro-Ergin?”
“Firstly, because he is an amazing professional. He brought me the European title. And I believe that if he had the full support of everybody, maybe the results would have been different.”
Coaching legends; Dusan Ivkovic and Zeljko Obradovic
Giannakopoulos was also asked whether having too many superstars on the same roster can become dangerous. His answer was straightforward: it depends on the coach.
“That depends on the coach you have. That depends on the coach. If you allow me, I’m going to use a few examples. And I’m going to use coaches of the top, top level.”
“Dusan Ivkovic, one of the greatest coaches ever. But he was not a coach who could coach a team full of stars. He could take youngsters and take them to the top. That was his talent.
Then you got other coaches like Ataman, Zeljko Obradovic. Okay, Zeljko (Obradovic) can do anything, but, I mean, these two coaches are coaches who can take the stars, a team full of stars, and get the best out of them.”
Dimitris Giannakopoulos denies involvement in Panathinaikos transfers
Giannakopoulos was also asked about claims that he is heavily involved in Panathinaikos’ roster construction, including allegations that he personally brings in players and calls them on the phone.
The question appeared to genuinely surprise the Panathinaikos president, who said it was the first time he had heard such a claim.
“Excuse me, but I really, really, really get astonished with your question, because why? This is actually the first time I’ve ever heard this. Never, never have I ever been involved. I don’t know basketball. I don’t.”
“From what I’ve been hearing, I mean, I’m gonna say this in public. I heard Sarunas Jasikevicius say, “Panathinaikos is the best team to work with. He is the only president who is not involved.” I haven’t heard this myself; I was told by somebody that I fully trust.”
