Baskonia president Josean Querejeta addressed head coach Paolo Galbiati’s future, the situation surrounding sporting director Xavi Pujol, potential roster changes and rumors involving star guard Markus Howard.
After a season of mixed results, Querejeta admitted that the club will take time before making any decisions regarding Galbiati’s long-term future, while also acknowledging the financial challenges Baskonia faces in keeping its top players.
Paolo Galbiati future remains uncertain
Asked whether Baskonia can guarantee that Galbiati will remain the team’s head coach next season, Querejeta pointed out that the Italian coach is the only person who can provide that answer with certainty.
“He is the person who could best answer that question. We cannot keep insisting on it constantly. We have already clearly expressed our position, and the coach himself has said it,” Querejeta told El Correo.
The Baskonia president also revealed that the club has not considered extending Galbiati’s contract at this stage, despite recognizing the work he has done.
“No, he still has one year left on his contract. Last year he brought us a trophy, and the truth is that he did an excellent job. I have to explain my feeling. We had a very poor EuroLeague season, an outstanding Copa del Rey, which is a short tournament, a very good domestic league campaign and a very poor playoff performance,” Querejeta explained.
“We have a whole year to think about how things develop, whether we are all satisfied, whether the team functions well… There is no need to make any rushed decisions.”
Most of Europe's top clubs have already completed their summer business, while the Catalans are still without a head coach and with major roster decisions to make 😬
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) July 3, 2026
See the full shortlist 👇https://t.co/Vq0Q85sOxb pic.twitter.com/2uTAY555Nj
Baskonia president questions Xevi Pujol situation
Querejeta also discussed the unexpected situation involving sporting director Xevi Pujol, who has been linked with a potential move to direct rival Barcelona while still remaining connected to Baskonia.
The club president admitted that the situation surprised him and suggested that Baskonia believes Pujol has already started working with Barcelona.
“I was surprised. I did not expect him to act this way. I thought we had hired someone who would do the job here. Then he decided that he preferred another club, and we cannot do anything other than protect our interests,” Querejeta said.
When asked what protecting the club’s interests means, he remained cautious:
“I cannot say anything more, except that he sees things one way and we see them another way.”
Asked whether that meant their positions were far apart, Querejeta added:
“No, I think… Actually, I have complete confidence that he is already working for Barcelona.”
Despite the situation, Querejeta insisted that Baskonia’s sporting structure remains stable, with Juan Pedro Cazorla currently leading the sporting department.
“Everything remains the same, but at this moment the person in charge of the sporting department is Juan Pedro,” he explained.
Baskonia prepares for another roster transformation
Looking ahead, Querejeta admitted that Baskonia is once again facing a summer of major changes, something he believes has become a recurring challenge because of the club’s financial position.
“These days I read that there are teams whose projects have been completely dismantled, and that happens to us every year. This year as well. And why does it happen? Because we do not have the financial power to keep those players, and that is what we are trying to change,” Querejeta said.
With EuroLeague transactions already shaping the offseason landscape, Baskonia is expected to undergo another roster reshaping, especially with the possibility of a new financial structure and increased investment around European basketball.
When asked whether players currently under contract could leave the club, Querejeta did not rule anything out.
“It is possible that something will happen,” he admitted.
Regarding speculation surrounding Markus Howard, one of Baskonia’s biggest stars, Querejeta remained calm.
“I don’t know. We have not received any offers for him,” he said.
