SRB – Ivkovic reportedly in line to return as Serbia coach

BELGRADE (EuroBasket 2011) - Dusan Ivkovic could yet walk the sidelines for the Serbia national team at the EuroBasket in Lithuania, according to a story in Blic.

Ivkovic, who led Serbia to a silver medal at EuroBasket 2009 and then guided the side to a Semi-Final appearance at last year's FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, stepped down from the head coaching post last month.

But, with a break in Greece to have the all-star game, the Olympiacos boss reportedly travelled to Belgrade to meet up with Belgrade major Dragan Djilas, who is expected to be the next president of the Basketball Federation of Serbia.

Blic, using information from a source they say is close to the federation, said the two men reached an agreement that will see Ivkovic return as national team head coach.

Djilas will not be officially elected before April but is currently the only candidate to become the federation president and has received the support of all of Serbian basketball.

Part of Ivkovic's decision to return is apparently assurances by Djilas that he will be paid money that he is owed by the federation to coach the national team.

After a recent game in Valencia where Ivkovic coached Olympiacos to an important Euroleague victory, FIBA.com asked the coach who he thought would replace him as the next coach of Serbia.

Ivkovic smiled, chuckled and walked away without answering.

FIBA