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Ranieri relieved of duties as Greece coach

Coach Claudio Ranieri has been given "a leave of absence" following Greece's 1-0 home loss to the Faroe Islands, with Kostas Tsanas to deputise for Tuesday's friendly against Serbia.

Claudio Ranieri during Friday's defeat
Claudio Ranieri during Friday's defeat ©AFP/Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri has left his post as Greece coach following the 1-0 home loss to the Faroe Islands on Friday.

Ranieri only took over in July but with three home defeats his team are bottom of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group F with just a single point. The Italian's departure was announced by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) at midnight on Saturday. "Claudio Ranieri and his collaborators are on a leave of absence until the end of 2014. Mr Kostas Tsanas will be the interim coach for Greece's friendly encounter against Serbia on Tuesday."

Tsanas is currently the coach of the Under-21 side, while also supervising the U19s, whom he led to second place in the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Estonia.

On Saturday evening, EPO president Giorgos Sarris gave a TV interview and discussed the matter: "We will find a way to part with Mr Ranieri by mutual consent. We both agreed that the team need an electric shock. I am the man responsible for this situation, as I chose Ranieri.

"We were counting on a victory against Faroe Islands to give us time to regroup for spring. But after this defeat, drastic measures were in order. However, it is too soon to talk about his successor."