ESP – Pepu not quitting Spain

MADRID (Olympics) – Pepu Hernandez on Wednesday evening killed off speculation that he was to resign as coach of Spain and firmly declared his intention to lead the world champions through the Beijing Games.

Hernandez, who announced several weeks ago that he will leave his national team post after the Olympics, admitted he has had a stressful period with the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB). His absence at an FEB meeting earlier this week did not go unnoticed by the Spanish media.

“I am not at war with anyone,” he said.

“I want to end my cycle with the national team which will happen after Beijing.

“I do feel at times persecuted by the federation, though. I have been linked with several clubs and then this week, when I didn’t attend a meeting that the federation knew I couldn’t attend, well, it’s been a hard week.

“I hope next week will be a calm one so that we can prepare for the task we face.”

Spain has been buzzing all day about Hernandez and the national team.

Not only did Hernandez call his press conference, but there was also the shock announcement at DKV Joventut that their hugely successful coach Aito Garcia Reneses was stepping down.

Aito’s move, coupled with the hastily arranged news conference by Hernandez, fuelled speculation that the 61-year-old was to replace Hernandez.

Spain Basketball Federation president Jose Luis Saez told FIBA.Com on Wednesday afternoon: “It's Pepu who called this press conference. Pepu is under contract. I don't know what Pepu will say, but we'll have to evaluate what Pepu says and make a decision.”

Hernandez said he was staying, and then said he only wants to focus on the task at hand and that is to have Spain play their best basketball this summer in China.

“I don’t want to know what’s going to happen in the future, and I don’t want to have any added pressure (from the federation),” Hernandez said. “But if they decide to replace me, I will give my support to whoever takes over.”

The coach added that it had been a hugely difficult decision to announce he would leave the team after Beijing.

“It was very hard for me to take the decision to leave the national team after the Olympics as this is the job of my life,” he said.

“But it was a sacrifice I needed to make.”

Hernandez is due to announce the Spain squad on June 10.

FIBA