Ivic still searching for new coach as AEK crisis deepens

With the worrying crisis at AEK rapidly deepening, Ilija Ivic is reportedly aiming to have a new coach on the bench in time for the Super League home game against Panionios.

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AEK are continuing to plunge even deeper into the large hole which they dug for themselves. On Saturday, the Athens-based club succumbed to a new low in the Super League, conceding an avoidable 1-0 defeat to OFI in Heraklion. AEK now languish in fifth place of the standings, trailing the leading pair of Olympiacos and PAOK by 10 points after just 12 rounds. An absolute disaster for an organisation which won the championship in 2018.

The patience of AEK technical director, Ilija Ivic, has run out.

The manner of defeat against OFI has once again convinced Ivic that current head coach Nikos Kostenoglou is not capable of rescuing the mess. Several reports in the media have heavily suggested that AEK will play under the leadership of a new manager against Panionios on December 7.

As previously reported on AGONAsport, former Vidi coach Marko Nikolic is one of the main candidates for the job, however Ivic is currently scanning the market for potentially better options. Recently, Red Star boss Vladan Milojevic was linked with a move to AEK, but it appears unlikely that he will leave the Serbian champions.

Developments are expected to occur in the next few days.

VRANJES LINKED WITH EXIT

When Ognjen Vranjes returned on loan from Anderlecht in the summer, the vast majority of AEK supporters welcomed the controversial Bosnian back with open arms, but the 30-year-old has since repaid their faith with sloppy performances and abysmal discipline.

Vranjes received a cheap red card in the 88th minute of the match against OFI on the road, in turn complicating AEK’s situation even further. The defender’s popularity in the club is continuing to drop as he consistently lets the team down with his hot-headed actions.

Reports have stated that AEK are not even considering keeping Vranjes past the 2019/2020 season. It is even possible that AEK send Vranjes back to Anderlecht in January, but in order for that to happen, the Enosis must sign a replacement centre-back. 

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: sportfm.gr

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