The German Basketball Association (DBB) has answered the most important question before the home European championship in September 2022 by signing the new national coach Gordon Herbert. But the relief after the conclusion of the contract is now also mixed with a pinch of frustration. Because according to information from the FAZ, another important position in the competitive sports department is suddenly vacant. Sports director Felix Leuer unexpectedly canceled his contract on September 30th. His termination means that General Secretary Wolfgang Brenscheidt and Vice President Armin Andres will lose an important partner in the preparations for the European Championship.
Leuer's withdrawal caught the association's leadership unprepared. The lawyer had recently found his way around his job better and better and made a number of contacts with the players. He was now considered an important member of the delegation. Leuer is said to have cited private reasons for his move. DBB President Ingo Weiss cannot use this construction site. In order to find Leuer, he had to conduct a fairly intensive search and tender before it was signed two years ago.
In addition, the association has a lot of work to do.
The dates for the EM are in place.
But which of the German players from the North American basketball league NBA can be there?
How can you prepare to play successfully at the EM?
How can qualification for the 2023 World Cup be organized in the best possible way?
And above all: Which professionals are available?
The budget is not that big
Up to 40 players can hope to be part of the national team. Everyone needs to be spoken to, strategies need to be defined and plans made. Classic tasks for a sports director. The new national coach Herbert is already rotating. The Canadian is said to have phoned or contacted almost all of the national players. He has already had long conversations with the best, including Dennis Schröder.
The build-up player from the Boston Celtics had decided not to take part in the Tokyo Olympics, but could return to the European Championship. Provided that his contractual situation does not become a problem for DBB, as it did this summer. Schröder will hope to be able to sign a more lucrative deal next summer than his current one - the Celtics will pay him 5.9 million dollars for his services. The budget for a new sports director at DBB is not quite as generous. And time is of the essence: if the next sports director needs a long time to find his way around, he can no longer be of great help in preparing for the European Championship.