Overview
- Xavi Pascual has told acting club president Rafael Yuste he will trigger his release clause, reported to exceed €400,000, and depart after the season, according to El Periódico and Eurohoops.
- Reports over the weekend said he had decided to exit and sign with Dubai Basketball, with Spanish media adding that the offer would top any coaching salary in Europe and include a roster packed with top players.
- The rupture traces to what Pascual viewed as unmet promises on reinforcements, no midseason addition at center, and a run of injuries to key players that left him without cover.
- Barcelona had publicly stated it was only planning with Pascual, yet local reporting now points to active succession talks, with Vassilis Spanoulis among the names discussed.
- Pascual returned in November on a contract through 2028, and while Barça projects a larger salary budget next year and has targets reported for the frontcourt and backcourt, he has said he wants a squad ready to chase the EuroLeague title now.