Benfica Shakes Up International Market

Latvian coach Ainars Bagatskis, 59, is being touted by the Polish press as the leading candidate to take over the helm of Benfica's basketball team next season.

Available on the market since late April, after a brief stint with Slask Wroclaw in Poland—from which he was dismissed after four losses—the experienced coach appears at the top of the Eagles' shortlist to lead the club's new basketball cycle. Benfica missed out on a potential fifth consecutive championship after their defeat to FC Porto in the Betclic League.

According to Polish media, negotiations are underway, and if successful, Bagatskis would bring a wealth of international experience to the Estádio da Luz, which could prove to be a game-changer. With a 20-year coaching career, built immediately after his playing days as an international for his country, the Latvian boasts stints with major European clubs and five EuroLeague appearances. Throughout his career, he has coached teams such as Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania), Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel), Brose Bamberg (Germany), and Nizhny Novgorod (Russia).

In terms of titles, Bagatskis won the Lithuanian Championship and the Baltic League in 2006, was a two-time Ukrainian champion in 2013 and 2014, and lifted the Israeli Cup in 2017. This club trophy cabinet is complemented by a strong international coaching background, having led the Latvian national team for almost a decade.

Before his experience in Poland, the coach spent three years in Ukraine and another three in Romania. Now, he could be on his way to the Estádio da Luz.

And one of the reinforcements who might arrive soon is Luke Barrett, who reportedly rejected an offer from AMW Arka Gdynia in Poland. According to the website zkrainynba, the forward, who was one of the standout players in the Polish League playoffs, has already reached an agreement with Benfica, who will compete in the Champions League qualifiers.