The Bayern basketball team has a new head coach: Pablo Laso, 55, will be coaching the Munich Cup winners in the next two seasons. The former Spanish national player and long-time successful coach of Real Madrid has now signed a contract until summer 2025.
The 55-year-old Basque was received over the weekend for the final formalities by CEO Marko Pesic and Sports Director Daniele Baiesi, and on Monday morning, he had his first meeting with the Munich media in the press lounge of the Audi Dome.
„To be 100 percent committed and ready“
Laso, who arrived in Munich on Sunday evening, said, "It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be in Munich. I would like to thank this great club for considering me to be a part of writing the next chapter of Bayern in the EuroLeague and BBL. Of course, I would be happy to achieve similar success as in the past, but success is not solely defined by winning the EuroLeague, that should be clear to everyone. I am 100 percent committed and ready to help Bayern reach the next level of this exciting project."
Club President Herbert Hainer conveyed his welcome greetings to Laso: "It cannot be said otherwise and it is meant in exactly the same way, that we are all super happy that we were able to convince Pablo Laso to join FC Bayern Basketball," expressed the club chief. "He has immense experience, has celebrated great successes with Real Madrid, and is one of the most renowned coaches in the EuroLeague. A new challenge awaits him at FC Bayern, and we are very pleased that he believes in our vision."
He has immense experience, has celebrated great successes with Real Madrid, and is one of the most renowned coaches in the EuroLeague. A new challenge awaits him at FC Bayern, and we are very pleased that he believes in our vision.
Club President Herbert Hainer
„One of the most renowned coaches overall“
CEO Director Marko Pesic said, "We are delighted to have been able to secure a basketball expert like Pablo Laso for our club. He has been highly sought after for understandable reasons, and it is a great honor that he has now committed to us. Pablo is one of the most successful coaches of the last decade, and I am very confident that he will positively shape us with his expertise and personality."
FCBB Sports Director Daniele Baiesi added, "Pablo had the longest tenure with the most successful team in Europe; he is one of the most successful coaches in Europe. He has what it takes to lead our team into the next phase, and it is a joy and an honor to have this elite coach on board."
For over a decade, Pablo Laso has been counted among the most prestigious and successful coaches in Europe. During his eleven seasons with the Royal Madrid ensemble from 2011 to June 2022, he led them to no less than 22 titles, including two EuroLeague championships (2015, 2018), six national championships, and cup successes in the Spanish ACB, the strongest league after the continental premier competition. He also celebrated winning the Club World Cup (Fiba Intercontinental Cup) with Madrid in 2015.
22 titles as a Coach with Real Madrid and 61 international matches for Spain
During his playing career as a point guard, Laso was an outstanding player himself. Even today, 20 years after his retirement, his all-time records for assists (2,896, 4.6 APG) and steals (1,219, 1.95 SPG) remain unmatched in the Spanish league. He played for his hometown team Baskonia in Vitoria-Gasteiz for many years before joining Real Madrid, where he won the European Saporta Cup in 1997 and the Copa del Rey in 1995.
Laso represented the Spanish national team in 61 matches and participated in both the World Cup and European Championships.
His coaching career began immediately after his playing career in Castellón, Valencia. In 2008, he led Bruesa (San Sebastian) to the top league and gradually attracted the attention of the major clubs.
Farewell to Madrid
Real Madrid, the biggest club of them all, acquired him in 2011. After winning the Copa del Rey in his first year, he led the team to their first championship in 2013. In his eleven seasons with Real, he won titles in all but one season. In 2021, he was named the ACB "Coach of the Year" for the fifth time.
In the EuroLeague, where he has coached 310 games and won 213 (69%), he received the "Coach of the Year" award in the two years of their triumph in the finals. He reached the Final Four seven times in eleven years, reaching the finals five times. His official departure from Real Madrid took place at the end of the season one year ago.
Pablo Laso is married and has three sons.
PABLO LASO (*13. Oktober 1967, Vítoria-Gasteiz/ESP)
Teams as a coach:
2003 – 2004: AB Castelló (ESP 2)
2004 – 2005: Pamesa Valencia (ACB)
2006 – 2007: Cantabria Baloncesto (ESP 2)
2007 – 2011: Gipkuzkoa Basket San Sebastian (ACB)
2011 – Juni 2022: Real Madrid (ACB)
Success/awards:
- EuroLeague Winner 2015, 2018
- Fiba Intercontinental Cup 2015
- Spanish Championship 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022
- Spanish Cup 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020
- Spanish Super-Cup 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020
- ACB advancement 2008, Bruesa GBC
- EuroLeague Coach of the Year 2015, 2018
- Spanish Coach of the Year 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019
- Coach of the Year of AEEB 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018
Success/awards as a player:
- Fiba Saporta Cup 1997
- Spanish Cup winner 1995
- MVP Spanish Cup 1995