MIAMI (United States) - The Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) announced that Aleksandar Petrovic of Croatia will no longer be coach of the men's national team.

Petrovic, who took the head coaching position in 2017, agreed two months ago to lead the U.S. Victoria Libertas Pallacanestro in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A. After looking at both opportunities, Petrovic decided to continue exclusively with the Italian team, the CBB reported in a statement.

Upon his arrival, Petrovic took on the important task of revitalizing the Brazilian national team. In total, he led the Brazilian national federation in 33-games, winning 26 and qualified for the FIBA World Cup 2019 in China as well as the upcoming 2022 FIBA AmeriCup in Brazil. This past July, Petrovic also led the green and gold to the final in the FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournament that was played in Croatia.

"After four wonderful years on the bench, I think it is time to leave. I am leaving with pain in my heart for not qualifying for the Olympic Games. I think that a new stage has arrived for Brazilian basketball. I want to wish good luck to the Brazilian Confederation, the players, the technical staff, the fans, everyone. I leave great friends, for me they were four unforgettable years. Thank you, all very much and good luck, in the future," said the coach via a video on CBB's Instagram.

Brazilian Confederation president, Guy Peixoto Jr. expressed his gratitude to the Croatian coach for his dedication during his tenure with the senior team. "I want to thank him (Petrovic) for these important years here. He had a firm hand when necessary and he was also like a father to many athletes when he had to be," he said.

The CBB is already working on the search for a new coach to be able to carry out its projects in the short and long term.

FIBA