Basketball dispute: Coach Gavel accused of breaking contract

A public spat has erupted between Bamberg Baskets shareholder Michael Stoschek and the club's coach, Anton Gavel, over the latter's alleged intentions to move to FC Bayern Munich. Stoschek launched a scathing verbal attack on Gavel, publicly revealing his transfer ambitions and expressing deep disappointment.

"The Anton Gavel affair affects me so much that I no longer want anything to do with basketball," Stoschek told the newspaper 'Bild.' He claims Gavel is attempting to terminate his contract, which is valid until the summer of 2027, by citing a supposed formal error. According to Stoschek, Gavel presented a termination notice based on the argument that a digital signature was not confirmed in writing, rendering it contestable.

“

He has presented the management with a termination: Because the digital signature was not confirmed in writing, it is contestable.

This controversy surfaces amidst the ongoing Bundesliga final series between FC Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin. It is an open secret within the basketball community that Gavel is slated to replace the departing Bayern head coach, Svetislav Pešić, at the end of the season. However, reports suggest Munich is unwilling to pay a transfer fee to Bamberg.

“

As a successful entrepreneur and competitive athlete for over 50 years, I have learned what fairness and decency are.

Stoschek, a successful entrepreneur, declared he would cease his private support for the club after his sponsorship ends. He stated, "As a successful entrepreneur and competitive athlete for over 50 years, I have learned what fairness and decency are." He accused Gavel of being the one to break the contract and exploit a technicality regarding the digital signature.

Gavel, 41, joined Bamberg in 2024 from Ratiopharm Ulm and led the team to a cup victory in February. He previously played for Bamberg as a professional from 2009 to 2014 before moving to FC Bayern. Stoschek's attempts to resolve the situation through discussions with FC Bayern's management have reportedly been unsuccessful. The coach's reputation is now at stake, alongside the unresolved contract situation.

“

He is the one who breaks the contract. He is the one who comes with the quibble that was brought to him, that the digital signature is invalid for lack of confirmation, and has presented us with the termination.