AEK made the first splash late on Friday night when the Athens club unexpectedly announced the dismissal of Serbian coach Vladan Milojevic. The second followed on Sunday with Argirios Giannikis (41) when his successor was announced.
AEK got off to a rather mixed start after 14 summer transfers (including former Frankfurt players Steven Zuber and Georgios Tzavellas), but a replacement was not on the cards until the international break.
It was only when Milojevic flirted with a move to Saudi Arabia that the Athens club immediately released him. The 51-year-old Serb only joined AEK in the summer. His success with Red Star Belgrade, as well as his affinity for the Greek league, where he was a player and coach, should help drive a fresh start at the Athens club.
Giannikis enjoys an excellent reputation in Greece
After his release, the officials of the twelve-time Greek champions quickly found what they were looking for in Germany. Nuremberg-born Argirios Giannikis (who has worked for KSC, Aalen and RW Essen, among others) takes over as coach at the traditional Greek club.
The 41-year-old enjoys an excellent reputation in Greece, having been voted “Coach of the Season” in the 2020/21 season as coach of promoted PAS Giannina. Afterwards, he did not renew his expiring contract in Giannina and had returned to Germany.
On Sunday evening, after signing until the summer of 2022 (and an option until 2024), the German-Greek was officially presented by the Athens club and is expected to lead training for the first time on Monday.
