Lemonis opts for APOEL
Friday, December 27, 2002
Article summary
Panagiotis Lemonis has been named as the new coach of Cypriot First Division leaders APOEL Nicosia FC.
Article body
Former Olympiakos Piraeus FC coach Panagiotis Lemonis has been named as the new coach of Cypriot First Division leaders APOEL Nicosia FC.
18-month contract
The 42-year-old has signed an 18-month contract with the capital club and replaces Dutch coach Egen Gerard, who joined Greek side Iraklis FC on 24 December. Lemonis was surprisingly sacked by Olympiakos in October despite sitting at the top of the Alpha Ethniki following two successive championship successes.
Unsatisfactory results
However, defeats in the UEFA Champions League first group stage at the hands of Maccabi Haifa FC, Manchester United FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen were deemed unsatisfactory by the Athens club's board.
League leaders
Gerard led APOEL to the league title last season before embarking on an excellent run in the UEFA Champions League and then UEFA Cup this season. APOEL went into the winter break at the top the Cypriot standings with 34 points, one point clear of title challengers Omonia Nicosia FC.
