FRA - Pau-Orthez remove Gadou as coach

PAU (Pro A) - Pau-Orthez have parted with coach Didier Gadou following the club’s semi-final exit in the play-offs.

The French giants, who finished top of the regular-season standings with 26 wins and eight defeats, crashed out of the post-season after two defeats to Le Mans - a 75-66 setback away and then a 77-72 loss at the Palais des Sports.

A statement issued by the club said: "Mr Didier Gadou will not coach Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez next season.

“Following the various discussions that took place after the elimination of the club in the Pro A semi-finals, Elan Bearnais have put an end to the role of their coach whose contract was running until June 2007.

“(Assistant) Laurent Mopsus has, however, been confirmed in his role and will be the first assistant of the coach who will be in charge of the team next season."

Gadou played for Pau-Orthez from 1982 through 2002 and then began coaching the team in their French title-winning campaign of 2002-03.

He has found the going tough since, however, with Pau failing to mount a serious challenge in the Euroleague and suffering disappointments in the French top flight.

Pau have produced many of France’s top players over the years, like current national team stars Florent Pietrus and his brother, Mickael.

The club had won three successive titles but Strasbourg ended that run in 2004-05, and now Le Mans will take on either Strasbourg or Nancy in this year’s final.

PA Sport