Oleksiy Yefimov: Elevating AS Monaco Basketball to a Higher, More Sustainable Level

In a recent interview, Oleksiy Yefimov, the General Manager of AS Monaco, outlined his vision for the club's future, touching upon the departure of a key coach, team dynamics, strategic developments, and plans for player retention. Here are the main takeaways from his statements:

On Coach Vassilis Spanoulis's Departure

Oleksiy Yefimov expressed profound gratitude for coach Vassilis Spanoulis, describing him as a true leader. Under Spanoulis's guidance, AS Monaco achieved significant milestones, including reaching its first Euroleague final in Abu Dhabi, winning the French Supercup, and securing the Leaders Cup after an eight-year hiatus. Yefimov highlighted Spanoulis's inspirational influence within the club and admitted to learning much from working alongside him. While regretting his departure, which was necessitated by difficult circumstances, Yefimov was confident that Spanoulis would leave Monaco with positive memories and the respect of all who worked with him.

On Team Cohesion and Player Dedication

Yefimov affirmed that the players' commitment is clearly demonstrated on the court. He cited their incredible unity and fighting spirit against Olympiakos, and their strong character shown in matches against Efes and Milan. Recent comeback victories serve as powerful evidence of their cohesion and willingness to fight and sacrifice for the club, even amidst challenging circumstances and numerous injuries. Yefimov also noted the team's unity extending off the court, referencing Mike James's active support for Elie Okobo and other teammates on social media during games, underscoring a genuine sense of camaraderie.

On AS Monaco's Current Situation and Future Trajectory

Yefimov stated that periods of challenge serve to strengthen solid projects, bringing clarity and harmony. He emphasized the collective unity of all stakeholders around the goal of not only maintaining Monaco at the highest level but also elevating it further on more robust and sustainable foundations. He extended his thanks to the Principality of Monaco for its significant financial and institutional support, which ensures the project's security and longevity. Yefimov concluded by asserting that the ambition to continually surpass expectations is deeply ingrained in the club's DNA, confident in their ability to overcome future difficulties as they have in the past.

On Long-Term Strategy and the Arena Project

Regarding the club's future, Yefimov indicated that the next phase involves consolidating its structure and long-term value, with the arena project as a central and now top priority. A clear roadmap is in place, active discussions are underway, and the process is advancing rapidly with strong momentum. The objective is to make significant progress, ideally before summer, with a focus on selecting the right partners and establishing a sustainable structure rather than merely prioritizing speed. Monaco approaches this phase from a position of strength, with an aligned project, a clear vision, and a well-defined roadmap, all geared towards bringing the club to a higher level on more solid and enduring bases.

On the Future Roster

Concerning the upcoming roster, Yefimov expressed a strong preference to utilize all available financial resources to retain the current squad—the one with which they began the season. He praised the dedication, faith, and talent of this group, noting their resilience in navigating both successes and setbacks. He reiterated that since their entry into the Euroleague, AS Monaco has consistently participated in the playoffs, a testament to having built and maintained a strong and loyal core. Yefimov underscored that continuity and consistency are paramount for building championship-winning teams in the Euroleague.