The New Zealand Breakers have announced that their head coach, Petteri Koponen, will leave the team after the 2025/26 NBL season.
The 37-year-old Finnish coach decided not to renew his contract, and the Auckland-based club is now looking for someone new to lead the team.
Koponen coached the Breakers for two seasons. During that time, he helped the team win their first-ever Ignite Cup, a special in-season tournament. However, the Breakers did not reach the playoffs in either of those seasons.
In a club statement, Koponen said he felt it was the right moment to move on. He described his time in New Zealand as one of the most rewarding parts of his career. He said he grew to love the country and the strong community of fans who support the team.
Even though he enjoyed his time with the Breakers, Koponen explained that he is ready for a new challenge. He thanked the club, the players, and the supporters for welcoming him. He also said he was proud of the positive team culture they had built together.
Breakers president of operations Dillon Boucher praised Koponen as a talented young coach with a bright future. He said the club understands that coaching far from home can be difficult. Both sides agreed it was the right time for Koponen to explore new opportunities.
The Breakers will now begin the search for a new coach as they prepare for the next NBL season.
