Overview
- Olimpia Milano said the coaching change was by mutual agreement and brought forward from a succession plan arranged in the summer.
- Messina explained in a public letter that he had become a source of division and distraction and will remain as a consultant to president Leo Dell'Orco.
- The decision followed three straight defeats across Serie A and EuroLeague after an inconsistent start affected by injuries.
- Poeta said he respects Messina’s choice, expressed enthusiasm for the role, and identified restoring players’ fitness as an immediate priority.
- Poeta’s debut comes in the EuroLeague against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Belgrade, as the club seeks to stabilize results after domestic success but recent European struggles.