Minasyan picks up Pyunik mantle

Vardan Minasyan has taken over as FC Pyunik coach from Armen Gyulbudagyants on the day the Armenian title-holders were drawn against Cyprus's Anorthosis Famagusta FC in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.

All change
Gyulbudagyants has been dismissed after Pyunik endured a difficult start to the 2008 season, with the coach being replaced by his former assistant Minasyan who also had a brief spell in charge last year. The 34-year-old former Armenian international will lead the side against Anorthosis in Cyprus on 15/16 July before the first qualifying round tie concludes the following week. Pyunik have won the Armenian championship seven years running but made wholesale changes during the winter close season, promoting a number of teenagers from the academy. With eleven games gone in the 2008 campaign, they lie third in the top flight, eleven points adrift of leaders FC Ararat Yerevan with only ten goals scored. Should they overcome Anorthosis, Pyunik will play SK Rapid Wien in the second qualifying round.