ESP - Red-hot Plaza extends deal at Madrid

MADRID (ACB) - Real Madrid’s hugely successful coach Joan Plaza has signed a contract extension with the Spanish champions, tying him to the club until 2010.

The 43-year-old only took the reins of Madrid in August 2006 as a replacement for Bozidar Maljkovic, who had departed following the election of Ramon Calderon as club president.

He led Madrid to the Spanish title and ULEB Cup glory to earn ACB Coach of the Year honours, and this season the team boasts a 7-1 record in the ACB and a 4-0 record in its Euroleague group.

Plaza was named coach almost by default, though.

After the arrival of Calderon, Madrid had been linked with Jasmin Repesa but the Croatian coach was tied to Lottomatica Roma and even if he had left Italy, he reportedly had big wage demands.

Barcelona-born Plaza, who only joined Madrid in 2005 as an assistant coach, was the next choice.

The 43-year-old Plaza’s existing deal had been due to expire at the end of the current season.

Madrid said in a statement: "Real Madrid announces it has reached an agreement with Joan Plaza to renew his contract, which currently ended at the end of this season, until the end of the 2009-10 campaign.”

Madrid’s other club, Estudiantes, are looking for a new coach Tuesday’s resignation of Mariano de Pablos.

FIBA