Vilnius 'Rytas' to pay two coaches as team budget exceeds 10 million euros

Vilnius basketball club 'Rytas' faces a unique situation, set to pay two head coaches concurrently after the departure of Giedrius Žibėnas. This comes after a disappointing quarter-final exit in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), ending Žibėnas's six-and-a-half-year tenure.

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There were many meetings and talks – those you wrote about, and those you didn't.

Sports director Artūras Jomantas acknowledged that while fan sentiment against Kazys Maksvytis, a prominent name considered for the coaching position, played a role, it was not the decisive factor. "I wouldn't say the fans blocked it. Yes, we talked with them, we heard them, but there were many other aspects too," Jomantas stated.

The club aims to maintain the team's speed and aggression under the new coaching staff, led by Nedas Pacevičius, who was previously an assistant. However, they also plan to enhance defense and physicality. "We talked with the coaches, that we want to maintain speed and aggression. Additionally, we want to add defense and physicality," Jomantas emphasized.

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I wouldn't say the fans blocked it. Yes, we talked with them, we heard them, but there were many other aspects too.

Financially, 'Rytas' is set for a significant boost, with its total budget for the upcoming season surpassing 10 million euros for the first time. The main team's expenses will reach 5.1 million euros, a 58% increase from last season. Club management attributes this rise to market inflation, which has driven player salaries up by 20%, and increased tax burdens.

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We talked with the coaches, that we want to maintain speed and aggression. Additionally, we want to add defense and physicality.

A key acquisition for the team is the return of Gytis Radzevičius after a brief stint in the EuroLeague. "We got one star back – we really wanted Gytis," said general director Martynas Giga. The team has also added Cassius Winston, Michael Devoe, Ricky Lindo, and Matas Jogėla, while seeing departures from several key players.

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We got one star back – we really wanted Gytis.