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Cúper resigns after lean spell at Aris

Héctor Cúper has resigned as coach of UEFA Europa League contenders Aris Thessaloniki FC, with the 55-year-old explaining: "After recent bad results, the best thing for the team is for me to leave."

Héctor Cúper could not be persuaded to stay on as Aris coach
Héctor Cúper could not be persuaded to stay on as Aris coach ©Getty Images

Héctor Cúper has resigned as coach of UEFA Europa League contenders Aris Thessaloniki FC after a run of disappointing results left them eighth in the 16-team Greek Super League.

The 55-year-old, once coach of Valencia CF and FC Internazionale Milano, said: "After recent bad results, the best thing for the team is for me to leave. My decision is irrevocable despite persistent pressure and effort from the club's administration to persuade me to stay. I wish every success to Aris in achieving their objectives."

Cúper made his name in Europe with a spell at RCD Mallorca, reaching the finals of the Copa del Rey and 1998/99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He was twice a UEFA Champions League runner-up with Valencia before a spell at Inter, and stints with Real Betis Balompié and Parma FC followed by a move into national-team management with Georgia. He took over at Aris in November 2009, and was a losing finalist again, this time in the Greek Cup.

Aris meet Manchester City FC in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, with the tie kicking off in Salonika on 15 February and concluding in Manchester nine days later.

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