Peseiro takes leave of Panathinaikos

José Peseiro has left his position as coach of Panathinaikos FC just hours after guiding the club back into the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds for next season.

'Last match'
The 48-year-old Portuguese was in charge as Panathinaikos drew 1-1 at rivals AEK Athens FC to finish top of the Greek Super League play-offs and earn a place in the second qualifying round of Europe's premier club competition for 2008/09. However after the match, Peseiro said: "This was my last match as head coach of Panathinaikos. I met with Ioannis Vardinoyannis [the club's major shareholder] and we decided to put an end to our co-operation, as neither side really wanted to continue. Our team had quality and determination but we failed to win the league title, which was our main goal. We have a bittersweet sensation with our UEFA Champions League qualification."

Cup exits
Peseiro was appointed last June and led the team to third place in the regular season. Panathinaikos also suffered an early exit from the Greek Cup when they were defeated 4-0 by Olympiacos CFP, while they bowed out of the UEFA Cup at the Round of 32 stage following an away-goals defeat by eventual runners-up Rangers FC.