Mantzourakis aiming high with AEL
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Article summary
AEL Limassol FC coach Yiannis Mantzourakis has extended his contract by another two years.
Article body
Cup finalists
The 56-year-old Mantzourakis took over from Andreas Michaelides in September and guided the team out of the bottom half of the table. AEL finished fifth and reached the Cypriot Cup final, only to lose 5-3 on penalties to Anorthosis Famagusta FC.
'Great honour'
Club president Akis Ellinas said: "It is a great honour to have Yiannis Mantzourakis at the helm for another two years. Keeping our coach shows our intention of challenging for the title in the upcoming years."
Plenty of experience
Born in Romania but a Greek citizen, Mantzourakis has previously coached a host of clubs in Greece and is best remembered for guiding Olympiakos Piraeus FC to the league title in the 1998/99 season. This is not be his first spell in charge of a Cypriot club though, as he guided APOEL Nicosia FC to the championship in 1989/90, and also had a spell at Anorthosis.
Ready for success
Upon signing the new deal, Mantzourakis said: "I understand fully the responsibility that I have but success will only come with hard work. Our target for next season will remain the same and we will hopefully start the following season without many mistakes."
