After he signed a 3-year contract with the Army club new coach of PBC CSKA Ettore Messina answered several questions for our site and told about his future plans.
When did you receive CSKA offer and how many time did it get to make a decision?
First I received this offer in the middle of the May. It was interesting for me and I did not need much time to decide to accept it. But I realized that I still have contract with Benetton and did not want to have disrespect to Italian club and Mr. Benetton.
What became the decisive factor in making of decision?
Many factors. First of all, it was interesting for me to participate in the project of developing CSKA as Russian team. For me it is very important - the role of the coach in CSKA. When I was a child, I saw final games of European Champions Cup between CSKA and Varese. I was impressed of the power of Russian players, of high level of basketball and traditions. I will be happy to help CSKA to review these traditions.
What do you know about Russian basketball and Russian players?
I knew a lot when I was a head coach of Italian team. Now I need time to receive more detailed information. I am going to do it in the nearest future. I trust that there are many talented players in Russia.
Are you going to continue work of Ivkovic?
I am happy to have an opportunity to follow his way in CSKA. Ivkovic is one of the greatest minds in European basketball. I hope I can get best in his 3-years work.
Who will be your assistants in the coaching staff?
Eugeny Pashutin is staying in CSKA, I trust in his knowledge and devotion to the club. Also Emanuele Molin will continue to work with me. He was my assistant in Kinder and Benetton. He is very good coach and good guy.
Who will play in the team in the next season?
I just signed the contract and now I and Sergey Kuschenko are started to work at building the roster. We will consider all variants to build balanced team.
When are you going to start work in Moscow?
We will start to work on arena in the end of August. We will start practices with these players whom we have that moment. Now we already started to work on the roster.
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