“Budget is not the only deciding factor.” That is the core philosophy Besiktas General Manager Nedim Yucel is relying on as the black-and-whites prepare to transition from EuroCup contenders to EuroLeague mainstays.
Evaluating Besiktas’s decision to sign a new contract with Dusan Alimpijevic through the end of the 2027/28 season, Nedim Yucel stated that the Serbian head coach’s ability to build upon the team’s performances year after year since taking charge played a key role in making the decision.
“When renewing the contract with Dusan, one of the most important criteria for the club was that our team has progressed by building on the previous year’s performance every season since he took office. A semi-final in the first year, followed by finals in the Basketball Super League and the Turkish Cup, and most recently finals in the Basketball Super League, the Turkish Cup, and the EuroCup…”, Yucel stated in an interview with Besiktas Magazine.
Working relationship with Alimpijevic
He added that it was not only the results, but also Alimpijevic’s working style that proved crucial in granting a long-term contract.
“This steady rise was the most important indicator that we were on the right track. Additionally, our coach’s work discipline, the importance he places on player development, and his ability to establish a competitive team identity are elements that align perfectly with the club’s vision.”
Speaking about his working relationship with Alimpijevic, the Besiktas general manager stated that there must be a clear division of duties and mutual trust between the two of them.
“I believe there must be a clear division of labor and mutual trust between the general manager and the head coach. This is roughly seventh season with Dusan, and we have become like family now. We respect each other’s domain of responsibility and can comfortably share differing opinions. We manage the team structure and player selection through a collective mindset, keeping the team’s success at the center.”
Smart budgeting over high spending
Explaining Besiktas’s ability to compete with rivals who have higher budgets, Nedim Yucel highlighted that budget is not the only deciding factor.
“For us, the priority is not to build a high-budget squad, but to create a harmonious team composed of the right players”, he said, and continued:
“In roster planning, we try to use our budget in the most efficient way possible and select players who fit our club’s goals, tactical style, and character. We look not only at a player’s individual talent, but also at their character, researching this aspect thoroughly. As I mentioned earlier, the collective mindset we have built with the coaching staff plays a crucial role here.”
Preparing for the EuroLeague intensity
He continued in the same vein, explaining that Besiktas’s goal is to remain competitive without losing touch with economic reality.
“Without straying from economic realities, we aim to build a structure on the court where proper planning and being a cohesive team – rather than budgets – are the decisive factors.”
For building the new roster to compete in the EuroLeague – unlike in previous years when they played in the EuroCup – Nedim Yucel drew attention to the importance of player profiles and rotation depth. He added that the tempo is much more intense, that physical conditioning will come to the fore alongside player quality, and that this must be factored in.
“The most significant difference here is not just player quality; it is the intensity of the season, the game tempo, and the level of competition. In the EuroLeague, you now play two top-tier matches in most weeks”, Nedim Yucel concluded.
