Panathinaikos struggle to find stability in post-Obradovic era

Having sacked Argyris Pedoulakis, AGONAsport’s Peter Katsiris takes a look at how Panathinaikos continue to struggle to appoint a steady hand at the helm in the aftermath of Zeljko Obradovic’s long reign in Athens.

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV! 

Panathinaikos’ unbeaten start to the season in the Basket League was not enough to save Argyris Pedoulakis from facing the axe this week after yet another disappointing defeat in the EuroLeague. 

Appointed in the offseason as a replacement to Rick Pitino, Pedoulakis was charged with steering Panathinaikos back to success on the continent as the Athenians desperately try to book a return to the EuroLeague Final Four in 2020. A 4-4 start to the EuroLeague season, however, spelt the end of Pedoulakis’ abbreviated stint with the Trifylli as the Greek coach was sacked just a few months after taking up the post for the third time in his career.

Sacking Pedoulakis means Panathinaikos find themselves in an eerily similar situation to that of last year after the club fired Xavi Pascual for an equally dismal run in the EuroLeague. Appointing Pitino shortly before the end of 2018, Panathinaikos did manage to rebound enough to reach the EuroLeague playoffs though the European season ended in tears for the Trifylli following a sweep at the hands of Real Madrid.

Although there are some cries within the Panathinaikos fanbase that Pedoulakis was not afforded enough time, one thing for certain is that owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos is growing less and less patient each season. While Giannakopoulos antics in years past have suggested that nothing should unexpected at Panathinaikos, it’s a strange trend for a club that for 13 years continued its cooperation with Obradovic until the Serbian bench boss opted to cross the Aegean and take the Fenerbahce job in 2012.

Since Obradovic’s departure, Panathinaikos have made a coaching midway through the season in all but two seasons. While Pedoulakis has taken the reins at the club since initially replacing Obradovic in the summer of 2012, the Greek coach is just one of seven coaches to be appointed head coach of the Trifylli on a full-time basis.

PANATHINAIKOS HEAD COACHES SINCE 1999/2000

1999-00     Z. Obradovic         2010-11     Z. Obradovic

2000-01     Z. Obradovic         2011-12     Z. Obradovic

2001-02     Z. Obradovic         2012-13     A. Pedoulakis

2002-03     Z. Obradovic         2013-14     A. Pedoulakis - F. Alvertis

2003-04     Z. Obradovic         2014-15     D. Ivanovic - S. Manolopoulos

2004-05     Z. Obradovic         2015-16     Djordjevic - A. Pedoulakis

2005-06     Z. Obradovic         2016-17     A. Pedoulakis - G. Vovoras - X. Pascual

2006-07     Z. Obradovic         2017-18     X. Pascual

2007-08     Z. Obradovic         2018-19     X. Pascual - G. Vovoras - R. Pitino

2008-09     Z. Obradovic         2019-20     A. Pedoulakis - G. Vovoras

2009-10     Z. Obradovic            

by Peter Katsiris

Image Source: gazzetta.gr

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!