Pankratjevas given Kaunas nod

Turbulent tenure
Kaunas owner Vladimir Romanov denies this, saying he sacked the coach for failing to meet expectations and committing a series of tactical errors in the second qualifying round first leg against Liverpool. The Russian was appointed in May, but had come under increasing pressure as Kaunas fell 15 points behind leaders FK Ekranas in the Lithuanian First Division.

Baptism of fire
Pankratjevas, 41, resigned as FK Atlantas coach in June after a run of poor results, and has taken the Kaunas hot seat for the rest of this season. He will receive a baptism of fire in his first game – away to European champions Liverpool on 2 August.