Fenerbahce announced Neven Spahija

Wasting no time in filling the vacancy at the head of its bench, Fenerbahce Ulker announced Friday that Neven Spahija will be the new head coach for the Turkish champions.


Spahija, 47, replaces veteran Bogdan Tanjevic, who announced his resignation on Thursday after having led Fenerbahce to its third domestic title in four seasons. Spahija arrives from Valencia, a club he helped qualify for next season's Euroleague by winning the Eurocup title in April. Spahija resigned from Valencia last month. Fenerbahce will be the sixth Euroleague team that Spahija coaches since he debuted in the competition in 2000.

The others were Cibona Zagreb of Croatia, Krka Novo Mesto of Slovenia, Lietuvos Rytas of Lithuania, Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel and Tau Ceramica of Spain. In each of those countries, Spahija took the national title at least once. Additionally, Spahija has been head coach in Russia with Avtodor Saratov, in Italy with Roseto and in his native Croatia with Gradine Pula. In addition to his sole continental trophy, this season's Eurocup, Spahija reached the finals of the 2002-03 Eurocup, with Krka, and the 2008 Final Four, with Tau Ceramica, losing to eventual champion CSKA Moscow.

Click here to return to the homepage.