“Was not valued enough”
Bayern coach raves about European champion coach Ibrahimagic
16.09.2025 – 4:32 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Gordon Herbert is happy about the European Championship victory of the German basketball players. Replacement coach Alan Ibrahimagic has been underestimated for a long time, says the world champion coach.
Gordon Herbert was happy after the European Championship victory of the German basketball players-and above all emphasized a man: interim coach Alan Ibrahimagic. “I was happy for him because he was not valued enough in the association to a certain extent,” said the former national coach, who is now a coach at Bayern.
The Canadian has known Ibrahimagic for time together at Alba Berlin, later both also worked together at the national team. During the sensational World Cup profit in 2023, the assistant coach was missing for private reasons. At the European Championship, he took responsibility after national coach àlex Mumbrú had to withdraw due to inflammation of the pancreas.
“He did an enormous job with the juniors, so I was very happy that he could show himself that way,” said Herbert about Ibrahimagic. He had already trained several youth teams at the German Basketball Bund and got World Cup silver with the U19 shortly before the European Championship.
Herbert does not regret his farewell to the national team. With Mumbrú he was in contact during the tournament, but no longer sees himself as part of the success. “I was very happy for the boys. But I made the decision last year to go,” said Herbert. Looking back, he would make the same decision again.
The team of 2023 still paid tribute to the performance of the team. It was impressive what individual players had achieved in the collective. For Isaac Bonga, Herbert even sees a possible future in the NBA.
In contrast, he does not expect his five national players from FC Bayern – including Andreas Obst and Oscar da Silva. “I just hope that they are sober,” said the Canadian with a wink.