16.05.2026 21:01
Panathinaikos Head Coach Ergin Ataman responded to Hapoel IBI President Ofer Yannay, who criticized him on social media. In his statement, Ataman said, "You can never reach my level. With this mindset, you can't win a single EuroLeague; I have three EuroLeague championships. Shut your mouth and talk about your own team."
Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman reacted to the remarks of Hapoel IBI president Ofer Yannay, who criticized him. Ataman stated that Yannay is a disrespectful person and should mind his own business.
''LOOK AT YOUR OWN RESULTS''
Ergin Ataman, saying he does not know Yannay, spoke as follows: "I want to tell him this: I don't know you, maybe you are a good person, but you are very disrespectful. Just focus on your own team, your own coach, and your own players. Go look at your own results; this was your first season in the EuroLeague. You have no right to talk about me."
''SHUT YOUR MOUTH!''
Emphasizing that he has three EuroLeague championships in his career, Ataman said: "You need to be respectful; go talk about your own players. I heard your budget for next season will be 75 million. Good luck. But with this mentality, even if your budget is 100 million instead of 75, you won't win anything. You will never reach my level. With this attitude, you can't win even a single EuroLeague; I have three EuroLeague titles. Shut your mouth and talk about your own team."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ergin Ataman had criticized his player TJ Shorts during halftime of the fifth game of his team's playoff series against Valencia in the EuroLeague, saying, "When he is on the court, we are attacking four against five." Hapoel president Ofer Yannay then shared Ataman's words on his social media account, saying, "Disrespectful and arrogant... By the way, Coach Ataman, I heard that your players think they don't have a coach."