Nikolic favourite to replace Kostenoglou at AEK helm
Several reports have suggested that AEK are keen for Marko Nikolic to replace Nikos Kostenoglou as head coach.
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There’s never a dull moment with AEK. Initially, AEK began the campaign with Miguel Cardoso in charge, but he was promptly fired in late August after a dreadful start. When Nikos Kostenoglou subsequently replaced Cardoso in the hot-seat, morale immediately increased and the performance level improved, however the honeymoon period is now well and truly over. AEK, displaying underwhelming, disjointed football, have only won two out of their last seven games as they trail the leading pair of Olympiacos and PAOK by nine points in the Super League.
It now seems certain that Kostenoglou’s days at the AEK helm are numbered.
Unrest reportedly began following the damaging derby defeats to Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. However, the seriousness of the situation reached a new level on Sunday, as AEK produced a dismal showing in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Aris at the Olympic Stadium. Supporters at the OAKA made their feelings known both during and after the game..
AEK technical director, Ilija Ivic, has supposedly made the final decision to fire Kostenoglou. It’s not known if Kostenoglou will suffer the sack before AEK play against OFI in Heraklion at the weekend.
Serbian manager Marko Nikolic has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Kostenoglou.
Nikolic is familiar to AEK fans after he faced the Kitrinomavri in the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League qualifiers as the coach of Vidi. AEK managed to beat Vidi 3-2 on aggregate to qualify for the group stages of Europe’s premier competition.
The 40-year-old was still working as the Vidi boss until the start of the week but, after a 3-1 loss to Puskas Akademia on Saturday, he departed the Hungarian club. The fact that Nikolic is available has increased the likelihood of him joining AEK.
Greek media outlets have stated that Ivic and Nikolic are currently in contact.
At the same time, Ivic is scanning the market for other potential AEK managers, with the 48-year-old eager to hire a foreign coach.
BARSEGHYAN LINK
Tigran Barseghyan, who plays as a winger for Kaysar Kyzylorda and the Armenian national team, has been heavily linked with a move to AEK in the winter transfer window.
“I haven’t signed with anyone yet, but I am seriously considering my transfer to AEK. I don’t want to speak about any other possible options,” said Barseghyan in an interview with sports.kz.
Barseghyan will be a free agent when his Kaysar contract expires on December 31.
During 2019, the 26-year-old made a grand total of 42 appearances for Kaysar in Kazakhstan, contributing with 18 goals and six assists. Barseghyan notably scored in Armenia’s 3-2 triumph against Greece at the OAKA in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.
Transfermarkt rates his value at one million euros.
