Bogut annoyed by Gaze handling

ANDREW Bogut is disappointed coach Andrew Gaze was forced to announce his pending departure from the Sydney Kings prematurely and hopes it will not affect their NBL playoff hopes.

Former Australian playing great Gaze announced he will end his three-season tenure at the end of the season. He insisted it was a mutual decision when making the news of the split public yesterday, even though doubts had emerged over whether club bosses would offer him an extension.

Gaze said management had approached him mid-season, informing him they wanted to participate in a coach evaluation process.

The 54-year-old declined and decided he would finish up and return to Melbourne to spend much-needed time with his family.

Gaze insisted there was nothing “sinister” about the decision, though Bogut was irritated the mounting speculation over the coach’s future had forced his hand.

“I know there was some pressure on Drewy throughout the season. There were a lot of people, unnamed sources, leaking stuff and putting pressure on,” Bogut said.

“It’s not ideal going into the finals, but that’s part of the sport. The club obviously wants to see what else is out there right now.

“You don’t fault either side for it. I don’t think it was a ‘throwing things at each other’ kind of split.”

Veteran NBA centre Bogut, crowned the league’s MVP on Sunday night, said the team would play hard for Gaze in the semi-final series against Melbourne United starting on Thursday next week.

Beyond that, he expected he and any other senior players signed for the Kings next year will have a say in the appointment of a new coach. Accomplished Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge has emerged as an early favourite for the role, having voiced uncertainty last week over whether he will return with the Hawks.