After missing major tournaments for a decade, Greece hires veteran Ivan Jovanovic as head coach

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece has hired veteran Ivan Jovanovic as head coach of its men’s soccer team, which has failed to qualify for major tournaments for a decade.

The 62-year-old Serb replaces Uruguayan coach Gus Poyet, who narrowly failed to take Greece to the European Championship this year, losing to Georgia on penalties in the qualifier playoffs.

“Being appointed coach of the Greek national team is a special honor for me. I will certainly try to live up to the expectations of the fans,” Jovanovic told a news conference on Friday.

Former national team stars Dimitris Salpingidis, Vasilis Torosidis, and Dimitris Papadopoulos have been appointed as assistants to Jovanovic under a two-year contract, the Greek soccer federation said.

“It has been quite some time – since 2014 – since Greece last participated in a major football tournament,” Jovanovic said. “I would say that in recent years, especially since my return to Greek football over the last three years, the level of football has significantly improved.”

Jovanovic spent most of his career as a player at the northern Greek club Iraklis. As a coach, he led teams in Greece, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates, serving a spell as UAE national team coach before returning to Greece in 2021. He led Panathinaikos in his previous coaching post until December last year.

Greece faces Finland at home next month in the Nations League in a group that also includes England and Ireland.

This year, Greece celebrated the 20th anniversary of winning the European Championship in Portugal. It last played in a major tournament at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, reaching the knockout stage.

“There was a very important period from 2004 to 2014 when the Greek team represented quality in major tournaments,” Jovanovic said. “I believe it is time for this generation of players, who currently make up the national team, to do everything possible to bring back that pride.”

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