JERUSALEM, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Euroleague club Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday announced the signing of David Blatt as chairman of the professional committee and external consultant.
The 63-year-old head coached Maccabi for two tenures, between 2001 and 2003 and between 2010 and 2014, leading the club to five Israeli league titles and to the Euroleague title in 2014.
He was then named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and led the Cavs to the 2015 NBA Finals, where they lost 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors. Blatt was fired in January 2016 after a dispute with the team's superstar LeBron James.
Blatt has reached major achievements with leading European clubs, and also led the Russian national team to the European Championship title in 2007 and to the Olympic bronze medal in London 2012.
In August 2019, Blatt announced that he had multiple sclerosis, and later that year announced his retirement from coaching and was appointed professional advisor to the New York Knicks.
"I am very happy to return to Maccabi Tel Aviv," Blatt said. "We will define and bring in players and people who will help Maccabi return to where it needs to be."
"Blatt will work in collaboration with Maccabi's professional team and will contribute his rich experience and expertise," the Israeli club concluded. ■
