Chus Mateo has been chosen to guide Real Madrid’s top basketball squad for the next two campaigns, succeeding Pablo Laso after the club confirmed the change during the recent season. The transition follows Laso’s departure from the role, which the club cited as necessary due to medical reasons after a health incident during the Endesa League Playoffs.
Real Madrid issued a statement declaring that Mateo will coach the first team through June 30, 2024. The move positions Mateo as the head coach for a period that aligns with the team’s immediate competitive goals and mirrors the continuity the club desires after Laso’s long tenure.
In practical terms, Mateo steps into the role with a strong history at Real Madrid, having served in various capacities with the club dating back to the 1990s. He has previously held positions both as a player development ally and as an assistant coach under Laso from 2014 onward, building a deep familiarity with the team’s culture, playing style, and local talent pipeline. This background is viewed by many as a natural bridge between past success and future endeavors.
Real Madrid and Laso agreed to part ways by mutual consent, with the club expressing its gratitude for his leadership during a highly successful era. The club highlighted Laso’s impact, noting the 22 titles won over 11 seasons as a defining period in the club’s basketball history, a run that solidified his standing among the sport’s most respected figures at Real Madrid. The organization also reaffirmed that Madrid would always regard Laso as part of its extended family, recognizing the significance of his contributions to the club’s legacy.
As Laso steps into a new chapter, Real Madrid emphasized its best wishes for him and his family, underscoring the continuity of the club’s support as he pursues further opportunities within the sport. The club’s message reflects a respectful farewell while signaling confidence in Mateo to maintain the team’s high standards on both domestic and European fronts.
From a strategic standpoint, the transition is monitored closely by fans, analysts, and supporters across North America who follow Real Madrid’s competitive arc. The change comes at a time when the team seeks to balance veteran leadership with fresh tactical ideas, alongside a roster capable of contending for top honors in Liga Endesa, the EuroLeague, and related competitions. Mateo’s appointment is viewed as a commitment to steady progress, disciplined development, and the cultivation of emerging talent within Real Madrid’s renowned basketball program. The club is expected to publicize further details about the coaching staff and player development plans as the new season approaches, with emphasis on maintaining the organization’s tradition of success while pursuing new milestones. This appointment sits within a broader trend of European clubs reinforcing continuity through internally developed coaches who understand the club’s identity and expectations, a model that resonates with supporters across North America and beyond. [Source attribution: Real Madrid official communications]