ITA - Fortitudo lower the boom on Frates, appoint Ataman

BOLOGNA (Lega A) - The post-Jasmin Repesa era at Climamio Bologna has gotten off to a rocky start with his successor, coach Fabrizio Frates, sacked just seven games into the domestic campaign.

Frates was shown the door on Friday with Fortitudo having claimed just three wins from seven Lega A games.

Fortitudo acted after Thursday night’s 90-86 home capitulation in a Euroleague battle of winless teams to RheinEnergie Koln, and appointed Turkish boss Ergin Ataman for the remainder of the season.

Ataman previously coached at Montepaschi Siena.

A club statement said: "Fortitudo announces it has dismissed coach Fabrizio Frates and wishes to thank him for the work he has done which unfortunately has not brought the desired results.

“The new coach of Fortitudo until the end of the season will be Ergin Ataman.”

Fortitudo is under new ownership this season and their cost-cutting measures led to Repesa’s departure to Lottomatica Roma.

Just two years ago, with players like Gianluca Basile, Ruben Douglas and Matjaz Smodis, Climamio won the Italian title.

Those players left for new teams, but Fortitudo still mounted credible challenges in all competitions with Kiwane Garris, Sani Becirovic, Erazem Lorbek and Yakhouba Diawara.

The team managed to keep hold of Italy international Marco Belinelli and Stefano Mancinelli, and signed Tyus Edney, Preston Schumpert, David Bluthenthal, Germany point guard Steffen Hamann, but the team is 13th in the 18-team Lega A.

Ataman’s team take on Premiata Montegranaro on Sunday.

Cindy Garcia-Bennett
PA Sport, Rome