It was supposed to be the beginning of a brand new order in Victorian basketball. New name; Melbourne United. New coach in Aussie basketball legend Chris Anstey.
But it wasn’t to be, with reports today that he has been removed from the new job at the newly-rebranded United after just one game in charge.
The weekend’s 89-61 loss to the Cairns Taipans prompted the shift, but it is less clear whether he removed himself from the role or was pushed. The heavy loss contributed to the move, whichever is the case.
Fairfax are reporting that assistant coach Darryl McDonald will take the interim job on.
The Age is also reporting that the frustrations of “senior people” with Anstey.
Along with the return of Mark Worthington, Anstey and his team were supposed to give the side a new start.
“This is a brand new start and we’re excited about that,” Anstey was quoted saying before the Taipans game.
But the tensions within the organisation are clearly there, with his removal after their season opener.
The club legend said on the weekend that he understood why people hand’t supported the name chance, but insisted this was a chance for new fans to get behind the team.
“But at the same time there is this huge degree of excitement for the basketball families of Victoria that haven’t been to a game in so many years because they couldn’t bring themselves to support the Tigers,” Anstey told News Limited.
“We need to gel and play instinctively together and we have a bunch of players that do that.
“But we’re chasing the rest of the league because this is our first ever game.”
It also turned about to be his last.
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