Three of Greece’s top soccer clubs in search of coaches
Three of Greece’s 16 top-flight soccer teams were looking for new coaches yesterday after departures at Iraklis, Akratitos and OFI. Thessaloniki’s Iraklis were in talks with Swedish coach Matt Gingbald yesterday after parting with Dutchman Egen Gerard, a spokesman said. Gingbald is expected to arrive today to discuss a six-month contract with the 12th-placed team, who lost 2-0 away to PAOK on Sunday. OFI’s Czech coach Zdenek Skasni resigned on Sunday in the wake of a surprise 2-1 loss at home to struggling Xanthi. The club is now 11th. The former Viktoria Zizkov boss announced his decision at the post-match press conference. Bottom-placed Akratitos took matters into their own hands, sacking Romanian coach Dumitri Dumitriu after the Athens side slumped to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of local rivals Ionikos. The sacking of the 57-year-old coach came after two consecutive losses sent the club to last place. The daily Sportnews said local Stathis Stathopoulos, a Greek, is favored to replace the Romanian. No one was available for comment at Akratitos. Dumitriu joined Akratitos last January and replaced Greece’s Petros Ravousis. During his tenure he managed to save the club from relegation to the second division. (AP, Reuters)
