Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv extends head coach Sfairopoulos' contract through 2023

JERUSALEM - Israeli basketball champion Maccabi Tel Aviv has signed its Greek head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos for three more years, until the summer of 2023, the club announced on Sunday.

Maccabi did not reveal details of the contract extension, but the Israeli media estimated that the coach will be paid about $1.1 million in these three years.

Sfairopoulos, 52, joined the Israeli club in November 2018, after signing a 1.5-year contract to be ending in summer 2020.

Previously, he was the head coach of Greek Olympiacos Piraeus, for 4 years (2014-2018).

His success in Maccabi, including a 27-4 record in the Israeli league (10-0 this season) and 22-14 in the Euroleague (9-4 this season) led to the contract extension.

Sfairopoulos said: "I am very happy to extend the collaboration with such a big historical club, and very excited that together with our great fans we will continue to write big history for Maccabi Tel Aviv".

Maccabi's sports director, Nikola Vujcic, added: "Sfairopoulos' signing a long-term deal fits our strategy. It shows he shares 100 percent the Maccabi's DNA basketball-wise and personality-wise.

"His connection with the essence of the club, the fans and the Maccabi moto - always believing and never giving up - is absolute."