The 48-year-old will sign a two-year contract, keeping him at the Catalan giants until June 2028. He arrives from Dubai Basketball, where he guided the club to the ABA League title last season, further cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s leading basketball coaches.
Before his successful spell in Dubai, Sekulić coached Russian clubs Lokomotiv Kuban and Zenit Saint Petersburg, building extensive experience in European club basketball.
Alongside his club career, Sekulić has served as head coach of the Slovenian men’s national team since 2020. Under his leadership, Slovenia qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in its history, finishing an impressive fourth at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He was also part of Slovenia’s coaching staff in 2017, when the national team captured its historic EuroBasket title.
At Barcelona, Sekulić replaces Spanish coach Xavi Pascual, who will take over Dubai Basketball, effectively completing a coaching swap between the two clubs. The appointment comes during a period of significant transition for Barcelona. Following the end of last season, the club saw nine players depart, while management has been reshaping the roster ahead of the new campaign. Sekulić is expected to lead the club’s rebuilding process as Barcelona aims to compete for both the Liga ACB and EuroLeague titles.
His arrival represents another milestone for Slovenian basketball, which has produced a remarkable generation of internationally respected players and coaches. With stars such as Luka Dončić and a national team that has become a consistent force in international competitions, Slovenia continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Europe’s leading basketball nations despite its population of just over two million people.
For Sekulić, the appointment is the biggest challenge of his coaching career. Leading Barcelona—one of the continent’s most decorated basketball clubs—will bring high expectations, but it also reflects the growing international recognition of Slovenian basketball expertise at both the player and coaching levels.
