Jose Luis Mendilibar leaves Olympiacos despite leading the club to its first European trophy and a historic treble. The Greek side failed to reach the Champions League's league phase.
Olympiacos announced this Wednesday, Sept. 9, that it has dismissed Jose Luis Mendilibar as its head coach. This follows the club's failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League league phase, dropping into the UEFA Europa League league phase instead.
Despite that, Olympiacos had made a strong start domestically, as they currently have seven points after two wins and one draw in their first three league matches, while also recording two victories in the Greek Cup league phase.
The club's official statement reads as follows:
"Olympiacos announces the termination of its collaboration with Jose Luis Mendilibar.
With Jose on the bench of the team, we conquered the UEFA Conference League, we made real the dream of every Olympiacos fan and of every Greek, and he became an integral part of the most glorious moment of THE LEGENDARY.
Subsequently, our team conquered the historic treble of the Club's centenary (League, Cup and Super Cup), and the coach also wrote his name in gold letters in the history of OLYMPIACOS. For that, he will be forever linked to our Club. For that, he will always occupy a special place in the pantheon of Olympiacos history and in the hearts of our entire red-and-white family.
However, in soccer, as in life, there are cycles that someday close. But what resonates in eternity is everything you have achieved.
The appreciation, the respect and the love of the Olympiacos family will accompany you always, Strategist, along with the intense feelings that united us and are eternal.
Thank you for everything!"
For several weeks, and we could even say months, the question of whether Mendilibar should remain at the club has been a topic of discussion among Olympiacos fans, but the possibility that the club would determine that a separation was the best option for all parties had never felt this close.
A few days ago, the departure of sporting director Darko Kovačević was also officially announced. He was key to the club’s recent signings, including Armando Ormeña González, who arrived from Chivas. Antonio Cordón returned to the sporting director role after leaving it during the 2023-24 season, reportedly for health reasons.
Mendilibar’s departure is likely linked to Kovačević’s exit as well, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
According to Sport24 reports, Imanol Alguacil is the new head coach of Olympiacos, succeeding Mendilibar after his dismissal.
