EuroLeague transfer: Virtus Bologna hires a new Head Coach

Virtus Bologna are turning the page. After a turbulent 2025-2026 season that saw Dusko Ivanovic replaced mid-year by interim head coach Nenad Jakovljevic, the Italian powerhouse is now closing in on a new long-term solution. Spanish coach Alex Mumbru has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge, with both parties believed to be close to finalizing an agreement ahead of the 2026-2027 season.

A Difficult Season Pushes Virtus Bologna to Rebuild

The 2025-2026 campaign was a sobering one for Virtus Bologna. The club finished 18th in the EuroLeague with a 14-24 record, well below the expectations set for a club of their stature. The mid-season coaching change failed to turn the tide, and the front office is now looking for a fresh start with a proven leader at the helm.

Mumbru, born on June 12, 1979 in Barcelona, fits that profile. He transitioned into coaching immediately after retiring as a player in 2018 with Bilbao Basket, the club where he would spend his first four years as a head coach. He then moved to Valencia Basket in 2022, before departing in April 2024. Since August 2024, he has been leading the German national team — a role that has already produced historic results.

Gold in 2025: Mumbru’s Defining Moment as a Coach

The highlight of Mumbru’s coaching career came at the 2025 European Championship, where he won the gold medal with Germany, while dealing with serious health issues.

His credentials as a player are equally impressive. Mumbru won the EuroCup with Real Madrid in 2007, claimed the World Championship title with Spain in 2006, and earned a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. That winning pedigree, both as a player and a coach, is precisely what Virtus Bologna are looking for as they attempt to rebuild their project.

The appointment would mark a significant step in Mumbru’s club coaching career, giving him his first opportunity to manage in the EuroLeague. For Virtus Bologna, it represents a calculated bet on a coach who has shown the ability to build cohesive, competitive teams. Further developments are expected in the coming days as both sides work toward a final agreement.