Dragan Sakota has signed a long-term contract extension with Greek basketball club AEK Athens until the summer of 2030.
Under the terms of the agreement signed on Thursday, August 27, Sakota will remain on the bench as head coach for the 2026-2027 season. Following that campaign, the Serbian coach will decide whether to continue leading the team on the court or transition into another position within the club through 2030.
AEK announced that Sakota chose to remain in his coaching role rather than take up the position of sports director, leaving his suit hanging in his office wardrobe at the SUNEL Arena. The club described his bond with AEK as karmic and built on a longstanding legacy with the fans.
Contract details and coaching milestone
The club highlighted Sakota's recent achievements, noting that he was named the top head coach in the Basketball Champions League for the previous season. AEK also paid tribute to his career longevity, recording that Sakota first signed on as a coach in Belgrade on April 22, 1973, at the age of 20.
AEK stated that the decision to extend his contract was dictated by history as the team faces an increasingly competitive environment in domestic and European basketball. The club added that Sakota would always maintain an active role within the organisation regardless of his specific title.
Club history and organizational background
AEK Basketball Club, based in Athens, is one of Greece's most historic professional basketball teams and is traditionally known to supporters as the Queen. The team competes in the Greek Basket League as well as international competitions organised by FIBA.
Sakota is a veteran Serbian-Greek coach who has enjoyed multiple successful tenures at AEK, guiding the team to both domestic titles and European trophies. The team plays its home fixtures at the SUNEL Arena, located in the Olympic complex of Greater Athens.
