Overview
- EA7 Emporio Armani Milan confirmed that Ettore Messina left the head-coaching role and will remain with the organization in a management capacity.
- Assistant Giuseppe (Peppe) Poeta has been promoted to head coach effective immediately, with his EuroLeague debut set for Wednesday in Belgrade against Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv.
- The change follows a shaky start to the season, with Milano at 6–6 in the EuroLeague after three straight losses and 5–4 in Italy’s Lega Basket.
- In an open letter, Messina said he had become a source of division and a distraction, adding that stepping aside was meant to restore unity around the team.
- Messina had led Milano since 2019, winning multiple domestic trophies and reaching the 2021 EuroLeague Final Four, while Poeta returned this summer to apprentice as part of a planned succession.